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* “When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain '''unalienable Rights''', that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — '''That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men''', deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”<br />-- The Declaration of Independence (1776)

* “When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain '''unalienable Rights''', that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — '''That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men''', deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”<br />-- [[The Declaration of Independence]] (1776)

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* “For the principle aim of society is to protect individuals in the enjoyment of those '''absolute rights''', which were vested in them by the immutable laws of nature.”<br />-- William Blackstone, Authority on English Law

* “For the principle aim of society is to protect individuals in the enjoyment of those '''absolute rights''', which were vested in them by the immutable laws of nature.”<br />-- [[William Blackstone]], Authority on English Law

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* “[A]ll men are born equally free," and possess "certain '''inherent natural rights''', of which they cannot, by any compact, deprive or divest their posterity.”<br />-- George Mason, Father of the Bill of Rights

* “[A]ll men are born equally free," and possess "certain '''inherent natural rights''', of which they cannot, by any compact, deprive or divest their posterity.”<br />-- [[George Mason]], Father of the Bill of Rights

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* “To this manly spirit, posterity will be indebted for the possession, and the world for the example, of the numerous innovations displayed on the American theatre, <br />in favor of '''private rights''' and public happiness.”<br />-- James Madison, Father of the Constitution

* “To this manly spirit, posterity will be indebted for the possession, and the world for the example, of the numerous innovations displayed on the American theatre, <br />in favor of '''private rights''' and public happiness.”<br />-- [[James Madison]], Father of the Constitution

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* “Nothing then is unchangeable but the '''inherent and inalienable rights''' of man.”<br />-- Thomas Jefferson, Author of the Declaration of Independence

* “Nothing then is unchangeable but the '''inherent and inalienable rights''' of man.”<br />-- [[Thomas Jefferson]], Author of the [[Declaration of Independence]]

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* “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 defend them in the best manner they can.”<br />-- Samuel Adams, American Statesman and Patriot

* “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 defend them in the best manner they can.”<br />-- [[Samuel Adams]], American Statesman and Patriot

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* “The public good is in nothing more essentially interested, than in the protection of every individual's '''private rights'''.”<br />-- William Blackstone, Authority on English Law

* “The public good is in nothing more essentially interested, than in the protection of every individual's '''private rights'''.”<br />-- [[William Blackstone]], Authority on English Law

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* “The principle view of human law is, or ought always to be, to explain, protect, and enforce '''such rights''' as are absolute.”<br />-- William Blackstone

* “The principle view of human law is, or ought always to be, to explain, protect, and enforce '''such rights''' as are absolute.”<br />-- [[William Blackstone]]

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*“The Conventions of a number of the States having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order '''to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers''', that further '''declaratory and restrictive clauses''' should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best insure the beneficent ends of its institution.”<br />(NOTE: This means the Bill of Rights is not a ''grant'' of rights, but a ''prohibition'' against government infringement. It also means the Bill of Rights takes precedence over the main body of the Constitution.)<br />-- Preamble to the Bill of Rights

*“The Conventions of a number of the States having at the time of their adopting the [[Constitution]], expressed a desire, in order '''to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers''', that further '''declaratory and restrictive clauses''' should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best insure the beneficent ends of its institution.”<br />(NOTE: This means the Bill of Rights is not a ''grant'' of rights, but a ''prohibition'' against government infringement. It also means the Bill of Rights takes precedence over the main body of the Constitution.)<br />-- Preamble to the [[Bill of Rights]]

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* “As drafters of our '''Bill of Rights''', the Framers inscribed the principles that control today. Any deviation from their intentions frustrates the permanence of that Charter…”<br />-- Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court William Rehnquist

* “As drafters of our '''Bill of Rights''', the Framers inscribed the principles that control today. Any deviation from their intentions frustrates the permanence of that Charter…”<br />-- Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court William Rehnquist

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== Legitimate Exceptions ==

== Legitimate Exceptions ==