Famous Phrases From The Declaration Of Independence

The Declaration of Independence, a cornerstone document in American history, is far more than just a declaration of separation from British rule. It's a profound statement of human rights, a philosophical treatise on government, and a testament to the ideals of liberty and equality. Penned primarily by Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration is replete with powerful phrases that have resonated through generations, shaping not only American identity but also influencing democratic movements worldwide. Let's delve into some of the most famous phrases, exploring their context, meaning, and enduring impact.

"When in the Course of human events..."

This opening phrase immediately sets a tone of gravity and historical significance. It suggests that declaring independence is not a rash decision, but a deliberate act undertaken after careful consideration of "human events." It elevates the American cause, framing it within the broader context of history and the natural progression of societal change. This is not merely a colonial squabble; it is a pivotal moment in the unfolding narrative of humanity.

"it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another..."

Here, Jefferson articulates the core justification for independence: the right of a people to break free from oppressive political ties. The phrase "political bands" refers to the established legal and governmental connections between the colonies and Great Britain. The use of the word "dissolve" implies a deliberate and forceful separation. The phrase "one people" emphasizes the growing sense of shared identity among the colonists, a unified entity distinct from the British. It suggests that they are no longer merely subjects of the Crown, but a nation in their own right.

"...and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them..."

This section asserts the colonies' right to sovereignty and international recognition. By claiming "separate and equal station," the Declaration proclaims that the new nation deserves the same respect and rights as any other independent country. The phrase "Laws of Nature and of Nature's God" appeals to a higher authority than earthly rulers. It suggests that independence is not merely a matter of political expediency, but a right inherent in the very order of the universe, ordained by both natural law and divine will. This appeal to universal principles gives the Declaration a moral weight and a broader philosophical significance.

"...a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation."

This clause demonstrates the importance the Founding Fathers placed on public opinion, both at home and abroad. By acknowledging the need to explain their reasons for separating, they sought to legitimize their actions in the eyes of the world. "A decent respect to the opinions of mankind" signifies an understanding that their actions would be scrutinized and judged. Therefore, a detailed explanation of their grievances was not just a formality but a strategic necessity to garner support and international legitimacy for their cause.

"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, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

This is arguably the most famous and influential phrase in the entire Declaration. It encapsulates the core principles of American ideology: equality, natural rights, and the pursuit of happiness.

• "We hold these truths to be self-evident...": This asserts that the following principles are not based on opinion or belief but are undeniable truths that require no proof. They are inherently obvious and accessible to all through reason and common sense.

• "...that all men are created equal...": This revolutionary statement challenges the traditional social hierarchies of the time. It means that every individual, regardless of birth, wealth, or social status, possesses the same inherent dignity and worth. This principle laid the foundation for the abolition of slavery and the fight for civil rights in America. It's crucial to acknowledge that the original application of this phrase was limited, excluding enslaved people and women. However, the inherent power of the idea has served as a catalyst for expanding its scope throughout American history.

• "...that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights...": This phrase asserts that rights are not granted by governments but are inherent to human beings, bestowed upon them by a higher power. "Unalienable" means that these rights cannot be taken away or surrendered. They are fundamental and inviolable.

• "...that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.": These are presented as examples of unalienable rights, not an exhaustive list.

  • Life: The right to exist and to be protected from harm.
  • Liberty: The right to freedom from arbitrary constraints and the ability to make one's own choices.
  • The pursuit of Happiness: This is perhaps the most nuanced and debated of the three rights. It doesn't guarantee happiness, but rather the right to pursue it through one's own efforts and choices, within the bounds of law and morality. It acknowledges the importance of individual fulfillment and self-determination.

"That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed..."

This phrase defines the purpose of government and the basis of its legitimacy. It states that governments are created to protect the unalienable rights of individuals. The phrase "deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed" establishes the principle of popular sovereignty. It means that the authority of government comes from the people it governs, and that the government must be accountable to the will of the people. This is a cornerstone of democratic theory, emphasizing that legitimate government rests on the consent and participation of its citizens.

"That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government..."

This section articulates the right of revolution. It asserts that if a government fails to uphold the rights of the people and becomes tyrannical, the people have the right to change or overthrow it. This is not a call for frivolous rebellion but a recognition that government derives its legitimacy from its adherence to the principles of liberty and justice. This radical idea, deeply rooted in Lockean philosophy, provided the philosophical justification for the American Revolution itself. It serves as a powerful reminder that the ultimate source of political authority resides in the people.

"He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good."

This is the first in a long list of grievances against King George III, detailing the specific actions that the colonists believed constituted tyranny. This particular grievance refers to the King's repeated refusal to approve laws passed by the colonial legislatures, even when those laws were deemed essential for the well-being of the colonies. This demonstrates the King's disregard for the colonists' self-governance and his insistence on maintaining absolute control.

"He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them."

This grievance highlights another aspect of the King's obstructionist policies. It accuses him of instructing his governors to delay the enactment of crucial laws until they could be reviewed and approved by the King himself. Furthermore, even when laws were suspended awaiting royal assent, the King often failed to act on them, effectively killing the legislation. This tactic created significant hardship for the colonies, preventing them from addressing pressing issues and further undermining their autonomy.

"He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance."

This grievance speaks to the colonists' resentment of the increasing number of British officials appointed to positions in the colonies. These officials, often seen as corrupt and self-serving, were perceived as a burden on the colonial economy and a source of constant harassment. The phrase "eat out their substance" vividly portrays the economic exploitation experienced by the colonists, as these officials extracted wealth and resources from the colonies to enrich themselves and the British Crown.

"He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures."

This grievance addresses the presence of British troops in the colonies during peacetime, without the approval of the colonial legislatures. This was seen as a direct violation of colonial rights and a threat to their liberty. The colonists believed that maintaining a standing army in peacetime was a tool of oppression, designed to intimidate and control the population. This grievance reflects the deep-seated distrust of centralized military power that was prevalent among the colonists.

"For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us..."

This grievance is related to the previous one, specifically addressing the practice of forcing colonists to house and provide for British soldiers. The Quartering Act, passed by the British Parliament, required colonists to provide lodging, food, and other supplies to British troops stationed in the colonies. This was deeply resented by the colonists, who saw it as an imposition on their property rights and a violation of their privacy and autonomy.

"For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world..."

This grievance refers to the British government's trade policies, particularly the imposition of restrictive trade regulations that hampered colonial commerce. The colonists were forced to trade primarily with Great Britain and were prohibited from trading with other countries. This policy was designed to benefit British merchants and manufacturers at the expense of the colonial economy. The phrase "cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world" highlights the severity of these restrictions and their detrimental impact on colonial prosperity.

"For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent..."

This grievance encapsulates the core complaint of the colonists: taxation without representation. The colonists argued that they should not be subjected to taxes imposed by the British Parliament because they had no elected representatives in that body. They believed that taxation without representation was a violation of their fundamental rights as Englishmen. This principle became a rallying cry for the colonists and a central justification for the American Revolution.

"For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury..."

This grievance addresses the erosion of colonial legal rights, particularly the denial of trial by jury in certain cases. The British government increasingly circumvented colonial courts and established vice-admiralty courts, which were presided over by judges appointed by the Crown and did not use juries. This was seen as a deliberate attempt to undermine colonial justice and to subject colonists to arbitrary and unfair rulings. The right to trial by jury was considered a fundamental protection against governmental overreach.

"He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people."

This is one of the most forceful and emotionally charged grievances, detailing the King's acts of violence and destruction against the colonies. The phrases "plundered our seas," "ravaged our Coasts," "burnt our towns," and "destroyed the lives of our people" paint a vivid picture of the King's brutality and his disregard for the lives and property of the colonists. This grievance serves to further demonize the King and to justify the colonists' decision to declare independence.

"He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation."

This grievance accuses the King of hiring foreign mercenaries to fight against the colonists, exacerbating the violence and suffering of the war. The use of mercenaries was seen as particularly abhorrent, as it demonstrated the King's willingness to employ brutal and indiscriminate force against his own subjects. The phrase "circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages" emphasizes the King's depravity and his violation of the norms of civilized warfare.

"A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people."

This powerful statement summarizes the colonists' indictment of King George III. It asserts that the King's actions, taken as a whole, demonstrate that he is a tyrant and therefore unfit to rule over a free people. This conclusion provides the ultimate justification for declaring independence, arguing that the colonists have no choice but to separate themselves from a tyrannical ruler who has repeatedly violated their rights and liberties.

"We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States..."

This is the formal declaration of independence. It asserts the authority of the Continental Congress to act on behalf of the people of the colonies. The phrase "appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions" invokes divine guidance and underscores the moral seriousness of their decision. The statement that the colonies "are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States" is the central declaration of the document, asserting their sovereignty and their right to self-governance.

"...that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do."

This section outlines the specific consequences of independence. It declares that the colonies are no longer bound by any allegiance to the British Crown and that all political ties between them and Great Britain are completely severed. Furthermore, it asserts that as free and independent states, they have the right to exercise all the powers that sovereign nations possess, including the power to wage war, make peace, form alliances, and engage in commerce. This declaration signifies the complete and irrevocable separation of the colonies from British rule.

"And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."

This concluding sentence is a powerful expression of commitment and sacrifice. The signatories of the Declaration pledge their "Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor" to the cause of independence. This was not an empty gesture; signing the Declaration was an act of treason, punishable by death. By making this pledge, the signatories demonstrated their unwavering belief in the principles of liberty and their willingness to risk everything for the sake of freedom. The phrase "with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence" reflects their faith in God's guidance and their belief that their cause was just.

The phrases from the Declaration of Independence have transcended their historical context to become enduring symbols of liberty, equality, and self-government. They have inspired countless individuals and movements around the world striving for freedom and justice. While the original application of these ideals was limited, the power of these phrases lies in their universality and their potential to inspire ongoing progress towards a more just and equitable world. The Declaration remains a living document, constantly reinterpreted and reapplied to address the challenges and aspirations of each new generation. Its famous phrases continue to resonate with their original power, reminding us of the fundamental rights and freedoms that are essential to a truly free and democratic society.