Declaration of the Rights of Man (1789): Declaration of the Rights of Man (1789), List 1

Coauthored by Thomas Jefferson and General Lafayette, this declaration was approved by the National Assembly of France in 1789. Unlike the American Declaration of Independence, its content consists more of philosophical principles rather than specific grievances against an abusive king. But similarly, it led to a revolution that inspired the hearts of individuals around the world. Read this list aloud to hear the echoes that unite humanity.
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. calamity
    an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
    The representatives of the French people, organized as a National Assembly, believing that the ignorance, neglect, or contempt of the rights of man are the sole cause of public calamities and of the corruption of governments...
  2. unalienable
    incapable of being repudiated or transferred to another
    ...to set forth in a solemn declaration the natural, unalienable, and sacred rights of man, in order that this declaration, being constantly before all the members of the Social body, shall remind them continually of their rights and duties
  3. grievance
    a complaint about a wrong that causes resentment
    and, lastly, in order that the grievances of the citizens, based hereafter upon simple and incontestable principles, shall tend to the maintenance of the constitution and redound to the happiness of all.
  4. auspices
    kindly endorsement and guidance
    Therefore the National Assembly recognizes and proclaims, in the presence and under the auspices of the Supreme Being, the following rights of man and of the citizen
  5. distinction
    a discrimination between things as different
    1. Men are born and remain free and equal in rights. Social distinctions may be founded only upon the general good.
  6. association
    a formal organization of people or groups of people
    2. The aim of all political association is the preservation of the natural and imprescriptible rights of man.
  7. oppression
    the state of being kept down by unjust use of authority
    These rights are liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression.
  8. sovereignty
    the authority of a state to govern another state
    3. The principle of all sovereignty resides essentially in the nation.
  9. consist
    have its essential character
    4. Liberty consists in the freedom to do everything which injures no one else; hence the exercise of the natural rights of each man has no limits except those which assure to the other members of the society the enjoyment of the same rights.
  10. prohibit
    command against
    5. Law can only prohibit such actions as are hurtful to society.
  11. participate
    be involved in
    6. Law is the expression of the general will. Every citizen has a right to participate personally, or through his representative, in its foundation.
  12. eligible
    qualified for or allowed or worthy of being chosen
    All citizens, being equal in the eyes of the law, are equally eligible to all dignities and to all public positions and occupations, according to their abilities, and without distinction except that of their virtues and talents.
  13. prescribe
    issue commands or orders for
    7. No person shall be accused, arrested, or imprisoned except in the cases and according to the forms prescribed by law.
  14. arbitrary
    based on or subject to individual discretion or preference
    Any one soliciting, transmitting, executing, or causing to be executed, any arbitrary order, shall be punished.
  15. virtue
    the quality of doing what is right
    But any citizen summoned or arrested in virtue of the law shall submit without delay, as resistance constitutes an offense.
Created on Fri May 30 18:50:45 EDT 2025 (updated Fri May 30 18:54:27 EDT 2025)

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