--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: America was founded on the principle of…" description: "\"America was founded on the principle of inalienable rights, not dictated duties. The Declaration of Independence states that every human being has a ri..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fac/alex-epstein-37108_america_america-was-founded-on-the-principle-of_256320.jpg" --- # America was founded on the principle of inalienable… ![“America was founded on the principle of inalienable rights, not dictated duties. The Declaration of Independence states that every human being has a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It does not state that he is born a slave to the needs of others.” quote by Alex Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fac/alex-epstein-37108_america_america-was-founded-on-the-principle-of_256320.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fac/alex-epstein-37108_america_america-was-founded-on-the-principle-of_256320.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fac/alex-epstein-37108_america_america-was-founded-on-the-principle-of_256320.jpg) > “America was founded on the principle of inalienable rights, not dictated duties. The Declaration of Independence states that every human being has a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It does not state that he is born a slave to the needs of others.” [Alex Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-epstein/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote asserts that the nation's foundation is based on inherent personal freedoms, not obligations imposed by others. **In simple terms:** America is built on inherent rights, not duties. Key Takeaway Recognize and protect individual freedoms. Themes freedom rights government individualism Mood patriotic reflective Type political historical civic When to use this quote - civil rights activism - legal advocacy - education on civic duties - policy making Key Concepts natural rights social contract political philosophy Questions to Reflect On - How do we balance individual rights with collective responsibilities? - What responsibilities arise from these freedoms? A Different Perspective Critics argue the interpretation of "inalalienable rights" has been historically selective. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) [Declaration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/declaration/) [Declaration of independence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/declaration-of-independence/) [Duty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duty/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Human beings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-beings/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Inalienable rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inalienable-rights/) [Independence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/independence/) [Individualism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individualism/) [Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberty/) [Needs of others](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs-of-others/) [Principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principles/) [Pursuit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pursuit/) [Pursuit of happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pursuit-of-happiness/) [Right to life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right-to-life/) [Rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rights/) [Slave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slave/) ## Related quotes > [July 4, 1776 was the historic day on which the representatives of three millions of people vocalized Concord, and Lexington, and Bunker Hill, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/july-4-1776-was-the-historic-day-on-which-the-representatives-of/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/governments-are-instituted-among-men-deriving-their-just-powers-from-3/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When our founding fathers put their signatures on the Declaration of Independence, those 56 brave people, most of whom by the way were clergymen,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-huckabee/when-our-founding-fathers-put-their-signatures-on-the-declaration-of/) [Mike Huckabee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-huckabee/) > [Anyone who believes in the natural and inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is obliged to accept that individuals have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheldon-richman/anyone-who-believes-in-the-natural-and-inalienable-rights-to-life/) [Sheldon Richman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheldon-richman/) > [We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/we-hold-these-truths-to-be-self-evident-that-all-men-are-created-5/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness means that each of us is free to go our own way, even if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-savage/the-right-to-life-liberty-and-the-pursuit-of-happiness-means-that/) [Dan Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-savage/) > [I believe in the supreme worth of the individual and in his right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-rockefeller/i-believe-in-the-supreme-worth-of-the-individual-and-in-his-right-to-2/) [John D. Rockefeller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-rockefeller/) > [All men are created equal and have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/all-men-are-created-equal-and-have-the-right-to-life-liberty-and-the/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [In a composite Nation like ours, made up of almost every variety of the human family, there should be, as before the Law, no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/in-a-composite-nation-like-ours-made-up-of-almost-every-variety-of/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [ The evidence of \[the\] natural right \[of expatriation\], like that of our right to life, liberty, the use of our faculties, the pursuit of… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-evidence-of-the-natural-right-of-expatriation-like-that-of-our/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The chief duty of governments, in so far as they are coercive, is to restrain those who would interfere with the inalienable rights of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-jennings-bryan/the-chief-duty-of-governments-in-so-far-as-they-are-coercive-is-to/) [William Jennings Bryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-jennings-bryan/) > [To be actively pro-life is to contribute to the renewal of society through the promotion of the common good. It is impossible to further…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-paul-ii/to-be-actively-pro-life-is-to-contribute-to-the-renewal-of-society/) [Pope John Paul II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-paul-ii/) > [ “\[T\]here are some human rights that are so deep that we can't negotiate them away. I mean people do heinous, terrible things. But there… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sister-helen-prejean/t-here-are-some-human-rights-that-are-so-deep-that-we-can-t-negotiate/) Sister Helen Prejean > [The minute you use the drugs, and you do something that interferes with the life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness of the guy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-zappa/the-minute-you-use-the-drugs-and-you-do-something-that-interferes/) [Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) > [A human life is defined by its relationship with others: by its duty to its species. In the face of this duty, life, liberty,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-woodring-stover/a-human-life-is-defined-by-its-relationship-with-others-by-its-duty/) [Matthew Woodring Stover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-woodring-stover/) ## More by Alex Epstein > [Resources are not taken from nature, but created from nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-epstein/resources-are-not-taken-from-nature-but-created-from-nature/) [Alex Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-epstein/) > [I am proud to work with the fossil fuel industry. I think it has historically done a horrible job of educating the public and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-epstein/i-am-proud-to-work-with-the-fossil-fuel-industry-i-think-it-has/) [Alex Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-epstein/) > [Social Security should be phased out and ended altogether. ... Social Security in any form is morally irredeemable. We should be debating, not how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-epstein/social-security-should-be-phased-out-and-ended-altogether-social/) [Alex Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-epstein/) > [The natural environment is not particularly hospitable to human life ... the key to having a good environment is improving it through work... .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-epstein/the-natural-environment-is-not-particularly-hospitable-to-human-life/) [Alex Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-epstein/) > [Our lives depend on recognizing that human cloning, like all forms of 'playing God,' is a moral, life-promoting endeavor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-epstein/our-lives-depend-on-recognizing-that-human-cloning-like-all-forms-of/) [Alex Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-epstein/) > [To attribute rights to animals is to ignore the purpose and justification of rights - to protect the interests of man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-epstein/to-attribute-rights-to-animals-is-to-ignore-the-purpose-and/) [Alex Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-epstein/) > [The Commerce Clause has already been inflated so much that we basically can't do anything without the government's permission.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-epstein/the-commerce-clause-has-already-been-inflated-so-much-that-we/) [Alex Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-epstein/) > [“I think human beings have evolved to appreciate narrative, in the same way that we have evolved to learn language. What is narrative, after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-epstein/i-think-human-beings-have-evolved-to-appreciate-narrative-in-the-same/) [Alex Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-epstein/) > [One point I like to stress is that we should think of coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear, as clean energy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-epstein/one-point-i-like-to-stress-is-that-we-should-think-of-coal-oil/) [Alex Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-epstein/) > [ \[The Center for Industrial Progress'\] model allows us to keep conflicts of interest to an absolute minimum as we do our research and writing.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-epstein/the-center-for-industrial-progress-model-allows-us-to-keep-conflicts/) [Alex Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-epstein/) > [The difference between a healthy environment and an unhealthy environment can be summed up in one word, and it's not 'CO2' or 'climate' or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-epstein/the-difference-between-a-healthy-environment-and-an-unhealthy/) [Alex Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-epstein/) [Explore all 12 Alex Epstein quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-epstein/) ## More America quotes > [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [Well, The Day the Earth Caught Fire was a story... I don't if anybody knows what it is but it was about... in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-guest/well-the-day-the-earth-caught-fire-was-a-story-i-don-t-if-anybody/) [Val Guest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-guest/) > [So here's what I want you to know, and here's what I want all our men and women in uniform to know: Because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-here-s-what-i-want-you-to-know-and-here-s-what-i-want-all-our-men/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Today, the world looks to America for leadership. And America looks to its Corps of Marines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/today-the-world-looks-to-america-for-leadership-and-america-looks-to/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [The image of blacks usually is one of people who are suffering from hunger, unemployment, and poverty. The idea of them as agents and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-lee-boggs/the-image-of-blacks-usually-is-one-of-people-who-are-suffering-from/) [Grace Lee Boggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-lee-boggs/) > [ I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. \[salutes\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumors-i-ll-die-deal-thank-you/) [Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/) > [America is a democracy and has no Hitler, but I am afraid for her future; there are hard times ahead for the American people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/america-is-a-democracy-and-has-no-hitler-but-i-am-afraid-for-her/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [I'm gonna bring America together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-m-gonna-bring-america-together/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [In the nineteenth century some parts of the world were unexplored, but there was almost no restriction on travel.:; Up to 1914 you did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/in-the-nineteenth-century-some-parts-of-the-world-were-unexplored-but/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [We need a system that serves our needs, not the needs of others. Remember, under a Trump administration it's called America first. Remember that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-need-a-system-that-serves-our-needs-not-the-needs-of-others/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/) [Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/) > [You live overseas, you see these exotic places and you want to know about them. But, weirdly, it also made me homesick for all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-jennings/you-live-overseas-you-see-these-exotic-places-and-you-want-to-know/) [Ken Jennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-jennings/) > [Freedom in every sense but primarily political sense, a rise in repression that stems from a repression of sexuality. 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