The Rights of Man · Chapter
Observations on the Declaration of Rights explained
Paine analyzes the French Declaration of the Rights of Man, arguing that the first three articles form the foundation of liberty and that a declaration of rights inherently implies a declaration of duties.
What happens
Paine analyzes the French Declaration of the Rights of Man, arguing that the first three articles form the foundation of liberty and that a declaration of rights inherently implies a declaration of duties. He defends the French Revolution against critics like Burke, asserting that it represents a regeneration of mankind rather than mere political change.
Themes in this chapter
Natural Rights of Man
Paine examines the Declaration of Rights as a codification of natural rights, emphasizing the first three articles as the base of liberty
Representative Government
The Declaration of Rights is presented as the foundation for a legitimate government, contrasting with hereditary and corrupt systems
Revolution and Reform
Paine defends the French Revolution as a 'Regeneration of man' and refutes Burke's criticism that it has 'gone too far'
Characters to notice
- Edmund Burke
Mentioned as a critic of the French Revolution who claims it has 'gone too far'
- Marquis de La Fayette
Quoted in the closing apostrophe about the monument to Liberty
Key passages
“A Declaration of Rights is, by reciprocity, a Declaration of Duties also. Whatever is my right as a man is also the right of another; and it becomes my duty to guarantee as well as to possess.”
A declaration of rights inherently implies a declaration of duties, because my rights are also the rights of others, and I have a duty to protect those rights for others as well as to enjoy them myself.
Paine responds to the proposal for a separate Declaration of Duties by arguing that rights and duties are reciprocal.
“The whole of the Declaration of Rights is of more value to the world, and will do more good, than all the laws and statutes that have yet been promulgated.”
The Declaration of Rights is more valuable and beneficial to humanity than all previous laws and statutes combined.
Paine elevates the Declaration of Rights above all prior legislation.
“The name of a Revolution is diminutive of its character, and it rises into a Regeneration of man.”
Calling it a revolution understates its significance; it is actually a rebirth of humanity.
Paine argues that the French Revolution is not merely a political change but a fundamental transformation of society.