Full Idea
The extent of our knowledge comes not only short of the reality of things, but even of the extent of our own ideas.
Gist of Idea
Our knowledge falls short of the extent of our own ideas
Source
John Locke (Essay Conc Human Understanding (2nd Ed) [1694], 4.03.06)
Book Reference
Locke,John: 'Essay Concerning Human Understanding', ed/tr. Nidditch,P.H. [OUP 1979], p.539
A Reaction
The point is that we may be unable to find the links which make the connections. Which implies that there are real connections waiting to be found. We could call this 'conceptual realism'. A job for philosophers!