"Men speak of natural rights, but I challenge any one to show where in nature any rights existed or were recognized until there was established for their declaration and protection a duly promulgated body of corresponding laws"
- Calvin Coolidge
About this Quote
This quote by Calvin Coolidge speaks with the concept that rights are not something that exist in nature, however rather something that is developed by laws. He challenges anyone to show where in nature any rights existed or were recognized before laws were produced to state and safeguard them. This suggests that rights are something that is developed by human beings, and not something that is intrinsic in nature. Coolidge's quote suggests that rights are something that must be established and safeguarded by laws in order for them to be acknowledged and appreciated. This is an essential suggestion that rights are not something that can be taken for granted, however rather something that needs to be actively protected and defended.