--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The Declaration of Independence . . . [is…" description: "\"The Declaration of Independence . . . [is the] declaratory charter of our rights, and the rights of man.\" — Thomas Jefferson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/842/thomas-jefferson-43_charter_the-declaration-of-independence-is-the-d_2986946.jpg" --- # The Declaration of Independence . . . \[is the\] declaratory… ![“The Declaration of Independence . . . [is the] declaratory charter of our rights, and the rights of man.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/842/thomas-jefferson-43_charter_the-declaration-of-independence-is-the-d_2986946.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/842/thomas-jefferson-43_charter_the-declaration-of-independence-is-the-d_2986946.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/842/thomas-jefferson-43_charter_the-declaration-of-independence-is-the-d_2986946.jpg) > “The Declaration of Independence . . . \[is the\] declaratory charter of our rights, and the rights of man.” [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The Declaration asserts universal rights as the foundation of our freedoms. **In simple terms:** Declaration declares universal rights. Key Takeaway Uphold and protect inherent human rights. Themes human rights freedom law equality political philosophy Mood principled inspirational Type political legal When to use this quote - civil rights activism - legal reforms - education - international diplomacy Key Concepts natural rights social contract foundational charter Questions to Reflect On - How can universal rights be applied globally? - What limits exist on these rights? A Different Perspective Interpretations of "rights" vary across cultures. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Declaration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/declaration/) [Declaration of independence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/declaration-of-independence/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Independence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/independence/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rights/) ## Related quotes > [I enclose to you a copy of the declaration of independence as agreed to by the House, and also, as originally framed. You will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-enclose-to-you-a-copy-of-the-declaration-of-independence-as-agreed/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [ May \[our Declaration of Independence\] be to the world, what I believe it will be (to some parts sooner, to others later, but finally… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/may-our-declaration-of-independence-be-to-the-world-what-i-believe-it/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [I believe that the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the innate human spirit that longs to be free requires us to defend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslyn-lewis/i-believe-that-the-canadian-charter-of-rights-and-freedoms-and-the/) [Leslyn Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslyn-lewis/) > [I am now-the friend of the equal rights of men, of representative democracy, of republicanism and the Declaration of Independence, the great charter of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-stark/i-am-now-the-friend-of-the-equal-rights-of-men-of-representative/) [John Stark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stark/) > [When the happy era shall arrive for the emancipation of nations, hastened on as it will be by the example of America, shall they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tyler/when-the-happy-era-shall-arrive-for-the-emancipation-of-nations/) [John Tyler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tyler/) > [ \[Joseph Smith\] foresaw the time when the destiny of the nation would be in danger and would hang as by a thread. Thank God… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/joseph-smith-foresaw-the-time-when-the-destiny-of-the-nation-would-be/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [It wouldn't take us long to discover the substance of that dream. It is found in those majestic words of the Declaration of Independence,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-wouldn-t-take-us-long-to-discover-the-substance-of-that-dream-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm going to steal the Declaration of Independence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-cage/i-m-going-to-steal-the-declaration-of-independence/) [Nicolas Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-cage/) > [When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/when-the-architects-of-our-republic-wrote-the-magnificent-words-of/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [The Declaration of Independence has been called, with some justice, the most revolutionary document in human history, in that it placed the individual person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-bock/the-declaration-of-independence-has-been-called-with-some-justice-the/) Alan Bock > [Whereas, Slavery, throughout its entire existence in the United States is none other than a most barbarous, unprovoked, and unjustifiable War of one portion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-brown/whereas-slavery-throughout-its-entire-existence-in-the-united-states/) [John Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-brown/) > [Many a revolution started with the actions of a few. Only 56 men signed the Declaration of Independence. A few hanging together can lead…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wynton-marsalis/many-a-revolution-started-with-the-actions-of-a-few-only-56-men/) [Wynton Marsalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wynton-marsalis/) > [In name we had the Declaration of Independence in 1776; but we gave the lie by our acts to the words of the Declaration…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/in-name-we-had-the-declaration-of-independence-in-1776-but-we-gave/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [They were not mentioned in the Declaration of Independence, they were absent in the Constitution and they were invisible in the new political democracy.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-zinn/they-were-not-mentioned-in-the-declaration-of-independence-they-were/) [Howard Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-zinn/) > [The Declaration of Independence, the words that launched our nation -- 1,300 words. The Bible, the word of God -- 773,000 words. The Tax…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-forbes/the-declaration-of-independence-the-words-that-launched-our-nation-1/) [Steve Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-forbes/) ## More by Thomas Jefferson > [A man has a right to use a saw, an axe, a plane, separately; may he not combine their uses on the same piece…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-man-has-a-right-to-use-a-saw-an-axe-a-plane-separately-may-he-not/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [ \[States and the Federal government are\] coordinate departments of one simple and integral whole... The one is the domestic, the other the foreign branch… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/states-and-the-federal-government-are-coordinate-departments-of-one/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [I am for freedom of religion, and against all maneuvers to bring about a legal ascendency of one sect over another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-am-for-freedom-of-religion-and-against-all-maneuvers-to-bring-about/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of a day; but a series of oppressions, begun at a distinguished period…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/single-acts-of-tyranny-may-be-ascribed-to-the-accidental-opinion-of-a/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“Perceiving the order of nature to be that individual happiness shall be inseparable from the practice of virtue, I am willing to hope it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/perceiving-the-order-of-nature-to-be-that-individual-happiness-shall/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Free government is founded in jealousy, and not in confidence; it is jealousy, and not confidence, which prescribes limited constitutions, to bind down those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/free-government-is-founded-in-jealousy-and-not-in-confidence-it-is/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Though you cannot see, when you take one step, what will be the next, yet follow truth, justice, and plain dealing, and never fear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/though-you-cannot-see-when-you-take-one-step-what-will-be-the-next/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [A well informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-well-informed-citizenry-is-the-best-defense-against-tyranny/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The two principles on which our conduct towards the Indians should be founded are justice and fear. After the injuries we have done them,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-two-principles-on-which-our-conduct-towards-the-indians-should-be/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Knowledge is power...knowled ge is safety...knowle dge is happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/knowledge-is-power-knowled-ge-is-safety-knowle-dge-is-happiness/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [There is... an artificial aristocracy founded on wealth and birth, without either virtue or talents... The artificial aristocracy is a mischievous ingredient in government,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/there-is-an-artificial-aristocracy-founded-on-wealth-and-birth/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Nothing but free argument, raillery and even ridicule will preserve the purity of religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/nothing-but-free-argument-raillery-and-even-ridicule-will-preserve/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [When the people are afraid of the government, that's tyranny. But when the government is afraid of the people, that's liberty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/when-the-people-are-afraid-of-the-government-that-s-tyranny-but-when/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable Rights,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/we-hold-these-truths-to-be-self-evident-that-all-men-are-created/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) [Explore all 2,098 Thomas Jefferson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) ## More Charter quotes > [I've used the Phoenix Centrifuge to replicate what the body's going to go through on the flight up. I've also done some gravity tests…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/i-ve-used-the-phoenix-centrifuge-to-replicate-what-the-body-s-going/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [For all the civilians saved thanks to the presence of peacekeepers, there have been those who were lost - the United Nations personnel who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-eliasson/for-all-the-civilians-saved-thanks-to-the-presence-of-peacekeepers/) [Jan Eliasson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-eliasson/) > [ They \[Mc Donalds\] take people and give them a first job, which enables them to get a second job. They do a very good… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/they-mc-donalds-take-people-and-give-them-a-first-job-which-enables/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) > [Peace does not rest in the charters and covenants alone. It lies in the hearts and minds of all people. So let us not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/peace-does-not-rest-in-the-charters-and-covenants-alone-it-lies-in/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [The U.N. guards the vital principles entrenched in its charter, notably the sovereign equality of states and the inadmissibility of interference in their internal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shashi-tharoor/the-u-n-guards-the-vital-principles-entrenched-in-its-charter-notably/) [Shashi Tharoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shashi-tharoor/) > [The Olympic Charter says winter sports must be played on snow or ice, so the Chess Federation says they'll play with ice pieces. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-sagal/the-olympic-charter-says-winter-sports-must-be-played-on-snow-or-ice/) [Peter Sagal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-sagal/) > [Our liberties do not come from charters; for these are only the declaration of pre-existing rights. They do not depend on parchments or seals;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dickinson/our-liberties-do-not-come-from-charters-for-these-are-only-the/) [John Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dickinson/) > [From the time of the North Briton of the unprincipled Wilkes , a notion has been entertained that the moral spine in Scotland is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-galt/from-the-time-of-the-north-briton-of-the-unprincipled-wilkes-a-notion/) [John Galt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-galt/) > [I would argue that the charter schools are really good at building programming and curriculum around the issues and the interests of the kids…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-baker/i-would-argue-that-the-charter-schools-are-really-good-at-building/) [Charlie Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-baker/) > [We should totally ban for-profit charters. For-profit's first obligation is to its stockholders, not to its children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ravitch/we-should-totally-ban-for-profit-charters-for-profit-s-first/) [Diane Ravitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ravitch/) > [Science is properly more scrupulous than dogma. Dogma gives a charter to mistake, but the very breath of science is a contest with mistake,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-eliot/science-is-properly-more-scrupulous-than-dogma-dogma-gives-a-charter/) [George Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-eliot/) > [The Society is based on that great bottom law of human right, that nothing but crime can forfeit liberty. That no condition of birth,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-dwight-weld/the-society-is-based-on-that-great-bottom-law-of-human-right-that/) Theodore Dwight Weld > [Let me tell you something: I have members in my charter who, after paying their rent and house bills and taking care of their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-zito/let-me-tell-you-something-i-have-members-in-my-charter-who-after/) [Chuck Zito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-zito/) > [Charter schools are not a panacea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-beckel/charter-schools-are-not-a-panacea/) [Bob Beckel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-beckel/) > [The Senate, compared to the House, is where things are supposed to slow down, by design, Founding Father design. The Founding Fathers were hell-bent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/the-senate-compared-to-the-house-is-where-things-are-supposed-to-slow/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) Browse all 219 Charter quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The Declaration of Independence . . . 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