Among the natural rights of the colonists are these…
“Among the natural rights of the colonists are these: first, a right to life; second, to liberty; third, to property; together with the right to support and defend them in the best manner they can. These are evident branches of ... the duty of self-preservation, commonly called the first law of nature. All men have a right to remain in a state of nature as long as they please; and in case of intolerable oppression, civil or religious, to leave the society they belong to, and ernter into another… Now what liberty can there be where property is taken away without consent?”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage asserts that natural rights—life, liberty, property—are fundamental, and individuals may abandon oppressive societies to protect these rights, emphasizing self-preservation and the right to dissent.
In simple terms: People have basic rights and can leave a tyrannical society.
Key Takeaway
Defend personal rights and oppose unjust oppression.
Themes
natural rights
self‑preservation
political liberty
property
civil dissent
Mood
defiant
inspirational
thoughtful
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political activism
- refugee decisions
- legal reforms
- civil disobedience
Key Concepts
Locke’s theory
social contract
human dignity
Questions to Reflect On
- When is it justified to abandon a society?
- How can societies protect property without oppression?
A Different Perspective
Rights can be contested; societal stability may suffer when many leave.