# Declaration of the Rights of Man and of Citizens by the National Assembly of France explained — The Rights of Man

> Chapter companion for The Rights of Man by Thomas Paine.

## What happens

The National Assembly of France issues a solemn declaration of natural, imprescriptible, and inalienable rights, asserting that men are born free and equal, that sovereignty resides in the nation, and that law is an expression of the general will. It enumerates rights including liberty, property, security, resistance to oppression, freedom of opinion and speech, and the right to participate in government, while establishing principles of legal equality, due process, and the separation of powers.

## Themes in this chapter

### Natural Rights of Man

The declaration explicitly states that men are born free and equal in rights, and that the preservation of natural and imprescriptible rights (liberty, property, security, resistance to oppression) is the end of all political associations.

### Popular Sovereignty

The declaration asserts that the nation is the essential source of all sovereignty, and that no individual or body can exercise authority not expressly derived from it, emphasizing the principle of popular sovereignty.

## Key lines

> Men are born, and always continue, free and equal in respect of their rights.

All people are born and remain free and equal in their rights.

_This foundational statement establishes the principle of natural equality._

> The nation is essentially the source of all Sovereignty; nor can any Individual , or Any Body Of Men , be entitled to any authority which is not expressly derived from it.

Sovereignty resides in the nation; no person or group can hold authority unless it comes from the nation.

_This asserts popular sovereignty as the basis of legitimate government._

> The unrestrained communication of thoughts and opinions being one of the most precious rights of man, every citizen may speak, write, and publish freely, provided he is responsible for the abuse of this liberty, in cases determined by the law.

Free expression of thoughts and opinions is a precious right; citizens may speak, write, and publish freely, subject to legal limits for abuse.

_This guarantees freedom of speech and press, a key Enlightenment value._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rights_of_man_se/chapters/declaration-of-the-rights-of-man-and-of-citizens-by-the-national-assembly-of-france
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rights_of_man_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rights_of_man_se/chapters