| Approved by the National Assembly of
France, August 26, 1789
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, have determined 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;
in order that the acts of the legislative power, as well as those of the
executive power, may be compared at any moment with the objects and
purposes of all political institutions and may thus be more respected,
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.
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: |
