How did Locke’s law of nature limit freedom in the state of nature?

In John Locke’s political theory, the state of nature is not a condition of absolute license where individuals can act without restraint. Instead, human freedom is fundamentally limited by the law of nature.1

This law serves as a moral boundary that dictates that, while all individuals are naturally free and equal, they remain subject to the will of their creator. Consequently, individuals are not permitted to harm themselves or others, as they are bound by the duty to obey and enforce this natural law. Because every person in the state of nature possesses the right to punish those who violate these moral bounds, the lack of a central authority can lead to violence and injustice. This inherent instability is what necessitates the transition into civil society, where a common government is established to impartially enforce the law of nature for the public good.1