The sacred rights of mankind are not to be rummaged for among old parchments or musty records. They are written, as with a sunbeam, in the whole volume of human nature, by the hand of the divinity itself; and can never be erased or obscured by mortal power.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Human rights come from human nature and divinity, not from old documents, and cannot be erased by mortal power.
- In plain terms
- Rights are part of human nature and cannot be erased by power.
- What can you take from it?
- Human rights are inherent and unerasable.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Where do rights come from?
- Can rights be taken away?
Another view
Appealing to divinity may alienate secular audiences seeking rights.
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