---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Rights are either God-given as part of…"
description: "\"Rights are either God-given as part of the divine plan, or they are granted by government as part of the political plan. If we accept the premise that ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98b/ezra-taft-benson-443_accepting_rights-are-either-god-given-as-part-of-t_2881789.png"
---

#  Rights are either God-given as part of the divine plan, or…

![“Rights are either God-given as part of the divine plan, or they are granted by government as part of the political plan. If we accept the premise that human rights are granted by government, then we must be willing to accept the corollary that they can be denied by government.” quote by Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98b/ezra-taft-benson-443_accepting_rights-are-either-god-given-as-part-of-t_2881789.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98b/ezra-taft-benson-443_accepting_rights-are-either-god-given-as-part-of-t_2881789.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98b/ezra-taft-benson-443_accepting_rights-are-either-god-given-as-part-of-t_2881789.png)

> “Rights are either God-given as part of the divine plan, or they are granted by government as part of the political plan. If we accept the premise that human rights are granted by government, then we must be willing to accept the corollary that they can be denied by government.”

[Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Human rights stem from divine or political sources; if political, they can be revoked, highlighting fragility.

**In simple terms:** Rights may be divine or political; political rights can be withdrawn.

Key Takeaway

Guard against rights erosion.

Themes

politics human rights theology

Mood

thoughtful serious

Type

ethical theological

When to use this quote

- legislation
- civil activism
- policy debate

Key Concepts

constitutional law ethical philosophy

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you protect rights in a political system?
- What role does faith play in your view of rights?

A Different Perspective

Political rights are often contested and unstable.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Divine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/divine/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Human rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-rights/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Political](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rights/)

## Related quotes

> [“If we accept the premise that human rights are granted by by government, then we must be willing to accept the corollary that they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/if-we-accept-the-premise-that-human-rights-are-granted-by-by/)

[Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/)

> [I would say that in this world, the greatest source of inequality has been special privileges granted by government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milton-friedman/i-would-say-that-in-this-world-the-greatest-source-of-inequality-has/)

[Milton Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milton-friedman/)

> [ We were born with natural rights. We don't need civil rights. \[African-Americans\] don't need civil rights. They don't need them. They have inalienable rights… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-woolery/we-were-born-with-natural-rights-we-don-t-need-civil-rights-african/)

[Chuck Woolery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-woolery/)

> [The decisions we make about the Internet don't affect just the Internet – they are answers to basic questions about the relationship each citizen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-godwin/the-decisions-we-make-about-the-internet-don-t-affect-just-the/)

[Mike Godwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-godwin/)

> [Think of the undying glory that hangs around the ancient name of Africa and forget not that you are native-born American citizens, and as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-highland-garnet/think-of-the-undying-glory-that-hangs-around-the-ancient-name-of/)

[Henry Highland Garnet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-highland-garnet/)

> [“The Declaration of Independence . . . is much more than a political document. It constitutes a spiritual manifesto—revelation, if you will—declaring not for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/the-declaration-of-independence-is-much-more-than-a-political/)

[Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/)

> [The Declaration of Independence was to set forth the moral justification of a rebellion against a long-recognized political tradition - the divine right of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/the-declaration-of-independence-was-to-set-forth-the-moral-2/)

[Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/)

> [ Since man created government to help secure and safeguard \[inalienable\] rights \[from God\], it follows that man is superior to government and should remain… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/since-man-created-government-to-help-secure-and-safeguard-inalienable/)

[Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/)

> [“Take it for granted that the government will disregard long-term dangers-such as those affecting the environment-in order to cling to power; that the citizenry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-brunner/take-it-for-granted-that-the-government-will-disregard-long-term/)

[John Brunner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-brunner/)

> [No guarantees come with children's liberation. But neither the promise of great benefits to all nor the prediction of great difficulties ahead can serve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-farson/no-guarantees-come-with-children-s-liberation-but-neither-the-promise/)

[Richard Farson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-farson/)

> [“Now I know of only two methods of establishing equality in the political world; every citizen must be put in possession of his rights,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-de-tocqueville/now-i-know-of-only-two-methods-of-establishing-equality-in-the/)

[Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-de-tocqueville/)

> ['Rights' are granted; 'duties' are enforced. To speak of rights and duties is to think in terms of authority.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurance-labadie/rights-are-granted-duties-are-enforced-to-speak-of-rights-and-duties/)

[Laurance Labadie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurance-labadie/)

> [I have little patience with people who take the Bill of Rights for granted. The Bill of Rights, contained in the first ten amendments…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/i-have-little-patience-with-people-who-take-the-bill-of-rights-for/)

[Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/)

> [Cats don't fight for their rights; they take them for granted. They have a right to be fed, watered, stroked on demand and supplied…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lilian-jackson-braun/cats-don-t-fight-for-their-rights-they-take-them-for-granted-they/)

[Lilian Jackson Braun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lilian-jackson-braun/)

> [Whenever you get involved with talking about rights, you're talking about being a citizen. You're talking about being a citizen in capitalism; you're talking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-nelson/whenever-you-get-involved-with-talking-about-rights-you-re-talking/)

[Maggie Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-nelson/)

## More by Ezra Taft Benson

> [What would God have me do with my life?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/what-would-god-have-me-do-with-my-life/)

[Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/)

> [Records, radio, television, movies, magazines-all are monopolized by the money managers who are guided by one ethic, the words wealth and power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/records-radio-television-movies-magazines-all-are-monopolized-by-the/)

[Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/)

> [Every Latter-day Saint should make the study of this book a lifetime pursuit. Otherwise, he is placing his soul in jeopardy and neglecting that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/every-latter-day-saint-should-make-the-study-of-this-book-a-lifetime/)

[Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/)

> [Do not be caught up in materialism, one of the real plagues of our generation-that is, acquiring things, fast-paced living, and securing career success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/do-not-be-caught-up-in-materialism-one-of-the-real-plagues-of-our/)

[Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/)

> [Most of us think of pride as self-centeredness, conceit, boastfulness, arrogance, or haughtiness. All of these are elements of the sin, but the heart,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/most-of-us-think-of-pride-as-self-centeredness-conceit-boastfulness/)

[Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/)

> [The high cost of low living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/the-high-cost-of-low-living/)

[Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/)

> [“We must each of us do our home work. 'My people are destroyed,' said Hosea, 'for lack of knowledge.' We must be wise as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/we-must-each-of-us-do-our-home-work-my-people-are-destroyed-said/)

[Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/)

> [“Man…need not stand alone. Prayer will open doors; prayer will remove barriers; prayer will ease pressures; prayer will give inner peace and comfort during…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/man-need-not-stand-alone-prayer-will-open-doors-prayer-will-remove/)

[Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/)

> [Humility does not mean weakness. It does not mean timidity. It does not mean fear. A man can be humble and fearless. A man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/humility-does-not-mean-weakness-it-does-not-mean-timidity-it-does-not/)

[Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/)

> [The scriptures record remarkable accounts of men whose lives changed dramatically, in an instant, as it were: Alma the Younger, Paul on the road…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/the-scriptures-record-remarkable-accounts-of-men-whose-lives-changed/)

[Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/)

> [That government is best which governs the least, so taught the courageous founders of this nation. This simple declaration is diametrically opposed to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/that-government-is-best-which-governs-the-least-so-taught-the/)

[Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/)

> [No nation which has kept the commandments of God has ever perished, but I say to you that once freedom is lost, only blood…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/no-nation-which-has-kept-the-commandments-of-god-has-ever-perished/)

[Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/)

> [Someone has said it is better to appreciate the things you don't own than to own things you don't appreciate. I hope we will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/someone-has-said-it-is-better-to-appreciate-the-things-you-don-t-own/)

[Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/)

> [“In framing that great document which Gladstone declared ‘the most wonderful work ever struck off at a given time by the brain and purpose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/in-framing-that-great-document-which-gladstone-declared-the-most/)

[Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/)

> [Godly sorrow is a gift of the Spirit. It is a deep realization that our actions have offended our Father and our God. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/godly-sorrow-is-a-gift-of-the-spirit-it-is-a-deep-realization-that/)

[Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/)

[Explore all 556 Ezra Taft Benson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/)

## More Accepting quotes

> [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/)

[Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/)

> [Laughing, laughing, laughing, laughing! It is the jester! A voice from the Void, to cheer poor Cicero! I accept your gift, dearest Night Mother.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/laughing-laughing-laughing-laughing-it-is-the-jester-a-voice-from-the/)

[Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/)

> [This duo inside of me causes the perfect opportunity to live and learn twice as fast as those who choose to accept simplicity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tupac-shakur/this-duo-inside-of-me-causes-the-perfect-opportunity-to-live-and/)

[Tupac Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tupac-shakur/)

> [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/)

[Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/)

> [We only enter into the full life if our faith gives thanks. Because how else do we accept His free gift of salvation if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/we-only-enter-into-the-full-life-if-our-faith-gives-thanks-because/)

[Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/)

> [Don't be bitter. Everybody suffers. If you can accept your suffering then you will understand other people better. Be grateful for pain. Love life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-colbert/don-t-be-bitter-everybody-suffers-if-you-can-accept-your-suffering/)

[Stephen Colbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-colbert/)

> [It takes an unusually philosophic mind to accept that all one’s suffering might be to no end, really, in the larger scheme of things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-takes-an-unusually-philosophic-mind-to-accept-that-all-one-s/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [No nation being under another nation can accept gifts, and kick at the responsibility attached to those gifts, imposed by the conquering nation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/no-nation-being-under-another-nation-can-accept-gifts-and-kick-at-the/)

[Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/)

> [Even with clothing naked animals, there were people who wanted to send in money. A woman in Santa Barbara, California, sent a $40,000 check.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-abel/even-with-clothing-naked-animals-there-were-people-who-wanted-to-send/)

[Alan Abel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-abel/)

> [Society understands the architecture of academia and knows there are relevant qualifications in different fields, and the media accepts the idea of specialisations and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-griffiths/society-understands-the-architecture-of-academia-and-knows-there-are/)

[Jay Griffiths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-griffiths/)

> [Whatever your conscious mind assumes and believes to be true, your subconscious mind will accept and bring to pass. Believe in good fortune, divine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-murphy/whatever-your-conscious-mind-assumes-and-believes-to-be-true-your/)

[Joseph Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-murphy/)

> [Losing someone is easy, but accepting it is hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/losing-someone-is-easy-but-accepting-it-is-hard/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [… and so he tried to accept the ache in his heart as what Dr. Larch would call the common symptoms of normal life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/and-so-he-tried-to-accept-the-ache-in-his-heart-as-what-dr-larch/)

[John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/)

> [I think what was special about 'Music by Prudence' was the classic story of the title subject's life path - from being an outcast…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-think-what-was-special-about-music-by-prudence-was-the-classic/)

[Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/)

> [As my films are born at the moment when they are reflected into another person's mind and memories, there are no misconceptions. I totally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pirjo-honkasalo/as-my-films-are-born-at-the-moment-when-they-are-reflected-into/)

[Pirjo Honkasalo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pirjo-honkasalo/)

Browse all 6,788 Accepting quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Rights are either God-given as part of the divine plan, or they are granted by government as part of the political plan. If we accept the premise that human rights are granted by government, then we must be willing to accept the corollary that they can be denied by government.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Ezra Taft Benson"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/rights-are-either-god-given-as-part-of-the-divine-plan-or-they-are/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Accepting"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/rights-are-either-god-given-as-part-of-the-divine-plan-or-they-are/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98b/ezra-taft-benson-443_accepting_rights-are-either-god-given-as-part-of-t_2881789.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98b/ezra-taft-benson-443_accepting_rights-are-either-god-given-as-part-of-t_2881789.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98b/ezra-taft-benson-443_accepting_rights-are-either-god-given-as-part-of-t_2881789.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Rights are either God-given as part of the divine plan, or they are granted by government as part of the…” — Ezra Taft Benson",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Ezra Taft Benson",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Rights are either God-given as part...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/rights-are-either-god-given-as-part-of-the-divine-plan-or-they-are/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/rights-are-either-god-given-as-part-of-the-divine-plan-or-they-are/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
