Page:Of the conduct of the understanding (IA ofconductofunder00lock).pdf/18



No quality more remarkably distinguishes Locke than his love of truth. He is of no sect or party, has no oblique design, such as we so frequently perceive, of sustaining some tenet which he suppresses, no submissiveness to the opinions of others, nor—what very few lay aside—to his own.

The plain directness of his manner, his earnestness without fanaticism, his hearty, honest love of truth, and the depth and pertinence of his thoughts, are qualities which, though they do not dazzle the reader, yet win his love and respect.

Locke's authority as a philosopher was unrivaled during the first half of the eighteenth century, and retained great weight until the spread of Kantian doctrines. His masculine common-sense, his modesty and love of truth have been universally acknowledged; and even his want of thoroughness and of logical consistency enabled him to reflect more fully the spirit of a period of compromise.

With respect to the style of the Essay, it has been observed by a most competent judge that it resembles that of a well-educated man of the world, rather than