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Full Idea
The bodies which we daily handle make us perceive that they do by an insurmountable force hinder the approach of the parts of our hands that press them.
Gist of Idea
An insurmountable force in a body keeps our hands apart when we handle it
Source
John Locke (Essay Conc Human Understanding (2nd Ed) [1694], 2.04.01)
Book Ref
Locke,John: 'Essay Concerning Human Understanding', ed/tr. Nidditch,P.H. [OUP 1979], p.123
A Reaction
This is interesting for a rare use of the word 'force' by Locke. I like the empiricist approach to these things, of actually contemplating handling physical objects. Empiricism keeps the feet of philosophy firmly on the ground.