The second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence states, “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.”
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word “unalienable” means “Unable to be taken away from or given away by the possessor” and a “right” is, “A moral or legal entitlement to have or obtain something or to act in a certain way.”
What makes these rights unalienable?
According to the Declaration, the reason these rights are unalienable is because everyone has been given these rights as a gift from their Creator.
In Jefferson’s first rough draft of the Declaration of Independence, found at the Library of Congress, he refers to the source of these right as “the laws of nature and nature’s god” when he says:
“We hold these truths to be sacred & undeniable; that all men are created equal & independant, that from that equal creation they derive rights inherent & inalienable, among which are the preservation of life, & liberty, & the pursuit of happiness…”
So what are unalienable rights?
They are the rights you have simply for being you!