Law Quote by Thomas Jefferson
![“Natural rights [are] the objects for the protection of which society is formed and municipal laws established.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/292/thomas-jefferson-43_law_natural-rights-are-the-objects-for-the-p_2759873.jpg)
“Natural rights [are] the objects for the protection of which society is formed and municipal laws established.”
About This Quote
Source Document: Notes on the State of Virginia, 1785
Natural rights are the fundamental freedoms that justify the creation of societies and laws to protect them.
In simple terms: Basic freedoms justify societies and laws.
Key Takeaway
Protect and respect inherent human rights.
Themes
politics
law
human rights
Mood
analytical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- legislative drafting
- civil rights activism
- education curricula
- judicial review
Key Concepts
philosophy
social contract
Questions to Reflect On
- How should societies prioritize rights?
- What limits, natural rights have?
A Different Perspective
Balancing individual rights with collective needs can be contentious.
![“A free people [claim] their rights as derived from the laws of nature, and not as the gift of their chief magistrate.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7a2/thomas-jefferson-43_4th-of-july_a-free-people-claim-their-rights-as-deri_1508457.jpg)
![“[States and the Federal government are] coordinate departments of one simple and integral whole... The one is the domestic, the other the foreign branch of the same government.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/401/thomas-jefferson-43_branches_states-and-the-federal-government-are-co_2619.jpg)
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![“Though you cannot see, when you take one step, what will be the next, yet follow truth, justice, and plain dealing, and never fear their leading you out of [any difficult situation] in the easiest manner possible...” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ebe/thomas-jefferson-43_difficult_though-you-cannot-see-when-you-take-one_9828.jpg)
![“That country [Carthage] was rapidly sinking into the state of barbarism from whence it had been raised by the Phoenician colonies and Roman laws; and every step of intestine discord was marked by some deplorable victory of savage man over civilized society.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70c/edward-gibbon-710_barbarism_that-country-carthage-was-rapidly-sinkin_393.jpg)
![“[Islam] Leaves no room of human legislation in an Islamic state, because herein all legislative functions vest in God and the only function left for Muslims lies in their observance of the God-made law.” quote by Abul A'la Maududi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/704/abul-a-la-maududi-51903_function_islam-leaves-no-room-of-human-legislatio_886.jpg)
![“Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then [these?], any man might instantly use what another had invented; so that the inventor had no special advantage from his own invention. The patent system changed this…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/449/abraham-lincoln-88_adoption_next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in_1828.jpg)
