Q0334
“Where there is no law, there is no freedom.” — John Locke (Second Treatise VI.57)
Verified English quotation. Primary source: Second Treatise VI.57. Theme: freedom.
English
Where there is no law, there is no freedom.
Source and attribution
The archive attributes this English wording to Second Treatise VI.57 and files it under British Empiricism. That locator distinguishes the passage from loose internet attributions: readers can return to the named work or section to check translation, surrounding argument, and edition-specific wording.
About John Locke
John Locke (1632–1704) was the English philosopher of empiricism and liberal politics whose Essay Concerning Human Understanding and Two Treatises of Government defined a century’s agenda. Associated with Shaftesbury and the Glorious Revolution settlement, he wrote on toleration, education, and money.
How to read this passage
Philosophers distinguish several ideas under the single word freedom. Negative freedom emphasizes non-interference; positive freedom emphasizes the capacity to act according to reasons, virtue, or authentic desire. This passage enters that discussion through freedom, power, order.
Concepts in this quote
- Freedom
- Freedom is among the most searched and most contested themes in philosophy: what it is to choose, to be responsible, and to live without illegitimate constraint.
- Power
- Power is the capacity to affect others and to shape what counts as possible—central to politics and ethics.
- Order
- Order names cosmos, ritual, law, and the patterned stability that makes shared life possible—or oppressive.
How to cite this quotation
APA: John Locke. (n.d.). Where there is no law, there is no freedom. In Philosophy Blind Box. https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0334
MLA: John Locke. “Where there is no law, there is no….” Philosophy Blind Box, https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0334.
Chicago: John Locke. “Where there is no law, there is no….” Philosophy Blind Box. Accessed 2026. https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0334.
Frequently asked questions
What is the source of the quotation “Where there is no law, there is no…”?
The passage is attributed to John Locke, Second Treatise VI.57. The archive attributes this English wording to Second Treatise VI.57 and files it under British Empiricism. That locator distinguishes the passage from loose internet attributions: readers can return to the named work or section to check translation, surrounding argument, and edition-specific wording.
What does John Locke mean by freedom?
Philosophers distinguish several ideas under the single word freedom. Negative freedom emphasizes non-interference; positive freedom emphasizes the capacity to act according to reasons, virtue, or authentic desire. This passage enters that discussion through freedom, power, order.