The Servants of One Master

Some people are not more equal than others, nor are they entitled to more life and liberty.

1689

Introduction

English philosopher John Locke is one of the most influential political thinkers in British history, whose ideas profoundly influenced the American Declaration of Independence. Here, he states his belief that freedom belongs to every man equally.

by John Locke 1632-1704

by John Locke (1632-1704)

THE state of nature has a law of nature to govern it, which obliges every one: and reason, which is that law, teaches all mankind, who will but consult it, that being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions: for men being all the workmanship of one omnipotent, and infinitely wise maker; all the servants of one sovereign master, sent into the world by his order, and about his business; they are his property, whose workmanship they are, made to last during his, not one another’s pleasure: and being furnished with like faculties, sharing all in one community of nature, there cannot be supposed any such subordination among us, that may authorize us to destroy one another, as if we were made for one another’s uses.

by John Locke 1632-1704

by John Locke (1632-1704)

From Two Treatises of Civil Government by John Locke (1632-1704).

Précis

English philosopher John Locke argued that since all people are made by God and sent to do his work, no one should see his fellow-man as something he can use or destroy for his own convenience, emphasising that he based his argument not on divine revelation, but on the dictates of human reason.

Questions for Critics

1. What is the author aiming to achieve in writing this?

2. Note any words, devices or turns of phrase that strike you. How do they help the author communicate his ideas more effectively?

3. What impression does this passage make on you? How might you put that impression into words?

Based on The English Critic (1939) by NL Clay, drawing on The New Criticism: A Lecture Delivered at Columbia University, March 9, 1910, by J. E. Spingarn, Professor of Comparative Literature in Columbia University, USA.

Sevens

Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.

Who or what teaches us not to do harm to one another, according to Locke?

Suggestion

Reason, which is a law of nature.

Jigsaws

Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.

Reason is our teacher. It forbids us to harm other people. Not everyone listens.