Born Quote by John Dickinson
“Kings or parliaments could not give the rights essential to happiness... We claim them from a higher source - from the King of kings, and Lord of all the earth. They are not annexed to us by parchments and seals. They are created in us by the decrees of Providence, which establish the laws of our nature. They are born with us; exist with us; and cannot be taken from us by any human power, without taking our lives.”
About This Quote
The passage asserts that fundamental rights are inherent, derived from divine providence rather than granted by governments, and thus cannot be revoked by human authority.
In simple terms: Rights are natural and inalienable.
Key Takeaway
Rights stem from a higher, immutable source.
Themes
natural rights
divine authority
political legitimacy
human sovereignty
law of nature
individual liberty
Mood
defiant
solemn
inspirational
Type
political
philosophical
historical
When to use this quote
- political revolutions
- constitutional debates
- human rights advocacy
- citizen protests
- legal reforms
Key Concepts
natural law
human rights
political theory
theology
Practical Applications
- crafting constitutional preambles
- framing civil liberty arguments
Questions to Reflect On
- What implications does viewing rights as divinely ordained have for modern law?
- How does this perspective challenge the authority of state institutions?
