Among the natural rights of the Colonists are these: First, a right to life; Secondly, to liberty; Thirdly, to property; together with the right to support and defend them in the best manner they can. These are evident branches of, rather than deductions from, the duty of self-preservation, commonly called the first law of nature.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Natural rights include life, liberty, and property, which people have a duty to defend as part of self-preservation.
- In plain terms
- People have natural rights to life, liberty, and property that they must defend.
- What can you take from it?
- Defend your natural rights to life, liberty, and property.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Which right is most important?
- How do you defend your rights?
Another view
The definition of these rights can vary across cultures.
More from Samuel Adams
The liberties of our Country, the freedom of our civil constitution are worth defending at all hazards: And it is our duty to defend them against all attacks. …
Permalink to quote #5 All men have a right to remain in a state of nature as long as they please; and in case of intolerable oppression, civil or religious, to leave the society the…
Permalink to quote #7 The truth is, all might be free if they valued freedom, and defended it as they ought.
Permalink to quote #4
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