A current limiting circuit for limiting an output current in response to a control current includes a detection circuit to detect a detection voltage responsive to an output voltage, and a control current generating circuit to generate a control current responsive to the detection voltage, wherein the control current generating circuit includes a first transistor through which the control current flows, a second transistor that becomes conductive upon a voltage responsive to an amount of the control current being greater than a predetermined voltage above the detection voltage, and a resistor connecting between a base and an emitter of the second transistor to raise a potential at the base of the second transistor above a predetermined level, wherein the amount of the control current flowing through the first transistor decreases as an amount of a current flowing through the second transistor increases.