&quot;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&quot;<p>-- The Declaration of Independence<p>In an American context, human rights are often thought as coming from a God or Creator. They are either preserved or infringed upon by the state, but aren&#x27;t granted by the state. As a practical matter, just government is required to safeguard those rights.