Introduction:
Welcome to our compilation of declaration quotes, where timeless words of wisdom, inspiration, and conviction are brought together. Declarations, whether personal, political, or philosophical, have the power to shape perspectives, ignite movements, and define epochs. From declarations of love to declarations of independence, these quotes encapsulate the fervor, determination, and spirit of those who dared to articulate their beliefs and aspirations boldly.
Throughout history, declarations have served as catalysts for change, rallying cries for justice, and affirmations of identity. They embody the courage to stand up for what one believes in, often in the face of adversity or opposition. Whether penned by revered leaders, celebrated thinkers, or ordinary individuals, these quotes resonate across time and space, reminding us of the enduring power of words to inspire, unite, and empower. Here, we invite you to explore a diverse array of declaration quotes that span continents, cultures, and centuries, each offering a glimpse into the profound human capacity for declaration and affirmation.
For the record, I believe elected officials should talk about faith. Our founders believed the moral principles of faith were indispensable to our nation’s survival. The Declaration of Independence mentions God four times. Gary Bauer
Nothing manifests more persuasively the American contradiction than that the author of the Declaration of Independence, a slave owner, wrote an antislavery clause into the document – as if to compel himself to be better than he was – which then had to be edited out so the Southern states, including Thomas Jefferson’s own, would sign it. Steve Erickson
Tens of thousands of brave Americans died to break the chains of British tyranny so that the principles of our Declaration of Independence could take fold and flourish in the birth of a new nation. Jim Gerlach
I should like to know if, taking this old Declaration of Independence, which declares that all men are equal upon principle, you begin making exceptions to it, where will you stop? If one man says it does not mean a Negro, why not another say it does not mean some other man? Abraham Lincoln
The main American naval forces were shifted to the Pacific region and an American admiral made a strong declaration to the effect that if war were to break out between Japan and the United States, the Japanese navy could be sunk in a matter of weeks. Hideki Tojo
Before the sacred, people lost all sense of power and all confidence; they occupy a powerless and humble attitude toward it. And yet no thing is sacred of itself, but by declaring it sacred, by my declaration, my judgment, my bending the knee; in short, by my – conscience. Max Stirner
True Americanism is practical idealism. Its aims, instead of being materialistic and mechanical, are idealistic to the point of being Utopian. In this way, the U.S. can provide and express ideals that strike a chord in humans everywhere – a declaration of independence on behalf of all the peoples of the world. Maurice Saatchi
Repeal the Missouri Compromise – repeal all compromises – repeal the Declaration of Independence – repeal all past history, you still cannot repeal human nature. It will be the abundance of man’s heart that slavery extension is wrong; and out of the abundance of his heart, his mouth will continue to speak. Abraham Lincoln
Our Declaration of Independence was held sacred by all and thought to include all; but now, to aid in making the bondage of the Negro universal and eternal, it is assailed, sneered at, construed, hawked at, and torn, till, if its framers could rise from their graves, they could not at all recognize it. Abraham Lincoln
The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Civil War – when I really think about them, they all seem about as likely as the parting of the Red Sea. Sarah Vowell
A declaration of the independence of America, and the sovereignty of the United States was drawn by the ingenious and philosophic pen of Thomas Jefferson, Esquire, a delegate from the state of Virginia. Mercy Otis Warren
There are broad freedoms in Israel. In fact, Israel’s Declaration of Independence grants all Israel’s inhabitants equality of social and political rights irrespective of religion, race or gender. Lee Zeldin
Look, half the men who signed the Declaration of Independence were either in debt or bankrupt. The remaining half, most of them lost all their possessions. The only reason Monticello didn’t get burned to the ground was that the British patrol missed the road. Eric Massa
It took us in this country 11 years to get from the Declaration of Independence to the Constitution. Mitch McConnell
The best defence against mafia business is full declaration of assets and incomes. Milos Zeman
The Universal Declaration of Human rights is a transformational document that recognizes the inherent dignity and equal rights of all people. Ned Lamont
About 25 years ago, I took a bicycle across the United States. I soon found out that the greatest item of clothing was the trusty bandanna. There were dozens of uses for a bandanna – as a pot holder, a chain cleaner, a sun shield, a headband, a snot rag, a declaration of Kerouacian intent. Colum McCann
If the citizens of the United States are to turn away from the Communist Manifesto and preserve the purpose of the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and our Bill of Rights, we must first thoroughly reexamine and learn about each of them, and uphold America’s founding documents by testing every political action in light of them. Chuck Norris
The ‘anchor baby’ thing needs to be fixed… Anchor babies are an unconstitutional declaration of citizenship to those born of non-Americans. It’s wrong, and it’s immoral. Russell Pearce
I believe that, as Americans, our freedoms come from God and not government, and include the rights enumerated in the Declaration of Independence: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Lisa Murkowski
Robert Treat Paine was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Treat Williams
A handwritten Declaration of Independence was on my bedroom wall and the Founding Fathers were above my desk in college. Jake Auchincloss
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights describes the family as the natural and fundamental unit of society. It follows that any choice and decision with regard to the size of the family must irrevocably rest with the family itself, and cannot be made by anyone else. Garrett Hardin
I do know that Syria never will recognize Lebanon as an independent country, and the declaration of independence of Lebanon took place in 1943. Syria never – Syria never have recognized Lebanon. They regard Lebanon as part of Syria. Ariel Sharon
In the progress of personality, first comes a declaration of independence, then a recognition of interdependence. Henry Van Dyke
With all its being, the Labor Party supports Israel as a Jewish and democratic state. Labor built the state, and its leaders formulated the Declaration of Independence, the foundational document that anchors Israel as a Jewish state. Isaac Herzog
Democracy is not the end point of mankind. There may be developments in many different directions in the coming centuries. Democracy has only existed for about 200 years. It started out with the American Declaration of Independence. The Americans got their ideas from the Europeans, in the main from the French, the Dutch and the British. Helmut Schmidt
The U.S. Declaration of Independence enshrines the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Alas, that is not the case everywhere in the world. Haris Pasovic
The search for happiness has long been a dominant feature of American life. It’s a byproduct of prosperity, not to mention the most famous line in the Declaration of Independence. Meghan Daum
These movements aren’t about anger. We’re not angrily saying ‘Black Lives Matter.’ We’re declaring it. It’s a declaration. We want to be seen as robust, full human beings that have anger and have joy. We want to be able to just freely have that joy. Like everybody else does. Tarana Burke
Nature has never read the Declaration of Independence. It continues to make us unequal. Will Durant
Our government leaders… have made many mistakes in the past when they have lost sight of the sacred American values rooted in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. We are at the brink of even graver mistakes and assaults on these values. Samuel Dash
The Declaration calls us to recognize the inherent equality of all people. And when it becomes unmistakably evident that a government is denying the governed life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, it’s the right of people to establish a new government to secure these unalienable rights. Mike Crapo
To me, both the Declaration of Independence and the Communist Manifesto contain underlying truths, but the West doesn’t permit a middle road. Sukarno
Our founders got it right when they wrote in the Declaration of Independence that our rights come from nature and nature’s God, not from government. Paul Ryan
The important consequences to the American States from this Declaration of Independence, considered as the ground and foundation of a future government, naturally suggest the propriety of proclaiming it in such a manner as that the people may be universally informed of it. John Hancock
The British were white, English, and Protestant, just as we were. They had to have some other basis on which to justify independence, and happily they were able to formulate the inalienable truths set forth in the Declaration. Samuel P. Huntington
The existence of slavery cast the shadow of hypocrisy over the otherwise noble proclamation of the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness in our Declaration of Independence. Blase J. Cupich
Freedom is a timeless value. The United Nations Charter calls for encouraging respect for fundamental freedoms. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights mentions freedom more than twenty times. All countries have committed to protecting individual freedoms on paper – but in practice, too many break their pledge. Ban Ki-moon
Many a revolution started with the actions of a few. Only 56 men signed the Declaration of Independence. A few hanging together can lead a nation to change. Wynton Marsalis
The Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, the constitutions of the several states, and the organic laws of the territories all alike propose to protect the people in the exercise of their God-given rights. Not one of them pretends to bestow rights. Susan B. Anthony
I play a curator, the most American part you can think of. My work is to protect the Declaration of Independence. I work at the National Archives in Washington. Diane Kruger
Well, we know that eighteen years after that solemn declaration it was disregarded, and the Irish Parliament, which lasted for five hundred years, was destroyed by the Act of Union. Gentlemen, the Act of Union was carried by force and fraud, by treachery and falsehood. John Edward Redmond
The Declaration of Independence is that sacred American text so full of meaning and purpose and yet quite empty if you examine it and pull it apart because the words ‘All Men’ exclude a vast number of citizens. Colson Whitehead
A couple years ago, the novelist Russell Banks told me he was reading the ancient Greek historian Herodotus. I asked why. He said, ‘Because I’ve always wanted to and am tired of having my reading assigned.’ I thought it was a marvelous declaration of independence. Richard Russo
Our socialism does not include extreme materialistic concepts, since Indonesia is primarily a God-fearing, God-loving nation. Our socialism is a mixture. We draw political equality from the American Declaration of Independence. We draw spiritual equality from Islam and Christianity. We draw scientific equality from Marx. Sukarno
It is hard to conceive of the utter demoralization, of the political blindness and immorality, of the patriotic dishonesty, of the cruelty and degradation of a people who supplemented the incomparable Declaration of Independence with the Fugitive Slave Law. Robert Green Ingersoll
In the Steven F. Austin Colony, which was the first colony, Texans first established a provisional government in 1835 with the intention of writing a declaration of independence soon after. Michael McCaul
It was that which gave promise that in due time the weights should be lifted from the shoulders of all men, and that all should have an equal chance. This is the sentiment embodied in that Declaration of Independence. Abraham Lincoln
The fundamental idea which defines a human being as a Muslim is the declaration of faith: that there is a creator, whom we call God – or Allah, in Arabic – and that the creator is one and single. And we declare this faith by the declaration of faith, where we… bear witness that there is no God but God. Feisal Abdul Rauf
The Declaration of Independence was always our vision of who we wanted to be, our ideal of freedom and justice, how we were going to be different, and what the American experiment was going to be about. Marian Wright Edelman
Who would think it possible to redirect historical scholarship by explaining what Thomas Jefferson said in the Declaration of Independence? Edmund Morgan
Shouldn’t the General Assembly adopt a declaration on the inadmissibility of interference into domestic affairs of sovereign states and nonrecognition of coup d’etats as a method of the change of power? Sergei Lavrov
Women’s roles are diminished for obvious reasons. It’s the men whose names are on the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, and who were generals and soldiers. Cokie Roberts
You have to look at what the United Nations Declaration of Rights of Indigenous people says which is free and prior informed consent. Now, if you say ‘we’re going to build a pipeline, what does it take for us as the colonial power of Canada to make you agree?’ That’s not free, prior and informed consent, that’s coercion. Elizabeth May
The Declaration of Independence promised citizens equal access to economic opportunity. This was the powerful principle for which men were willing to fight the American Revolution, but it was never codified in law. When the Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution, they assumed that the country’s vast resources would ensure equality of opportunity. Heather Cox Richardson
In the over two centuries since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, millions of Americans have bravely served our nation in uniform so that all generations can continue to enjoy those same liberties. Doc Hastings
In America we have a Declaration of Independence, but our history, our advancements, our global strength all point to an American declaration of interdependence. Cory Booker
The beliefs expressed in the Declaration of Independence remain a standard for our nation today. They also remain a standard for those nations across the globe striving to achieve democracy. Paul Gillmor
I have always believed, heretofore, in the doctrines of the Declaration of Independence, that all men are born free and equal; but of late it appears that some men are born slaves, and I regret that they are not black, so all the world might know them. Benjamin F. Wade
The ultimate end is a nation that lies under the concept of the Declaration of Indepen dence. The Declaration of Independence is such an extraordinary statement – it was designed by people skeptical of government, local or national, but in particular national. Malcolm Wallop
The sinking of the Lusitania wasn’t the proximal cause for the U.S. entering WWI. It was almost two years between the sinking and the war declaration, and President Wilson’s request for war never mentions the Lusitania. Erik Larson
Freedom of religion is a principle that is central to our Nation’s Declaration of Independence. Congress has taken this positive step to protect our freedom to express allegiance to America’s flag and the ideals it represents. Ron Lewis
When Al Gore picked Joe Lieberman, it was a clear declaration of independence from President Clinton; no Democrat had been more critical of Clinton’s misconduct. Jeff Greenfield
There’s very little proof that Obama or anyone in his administration – particularly Hillary Clinton – truly understands or believes the tenets in the U.S. Constitution or the Declaration of Independence. If they did, they would know that they are running a federal government in direct contradiction to both of those sacred documents. Chuck Norris
The assertion that ‘all men are created equal’ was of no practical use in effecting our separation from Great Britain and it was placed in the Declaration not for that, but for future use. Abraham Lincoln
In my country, we’re sufficiently consumed by the concept of happiness that the right to its pursuit is enshrined in the Declaration of Independence. But what is happiness? Lionel Shriver
Our Declaration of Independence was the start of a conversation about how to achieve life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for every citizen. Our Constitution was always intended to grow and adapt as we formed a more perfect union, established justice, and ensured peace, security, and the blessings of liberty. Kirsten Gillibrand
The right to life is guaranteed to all Americans in the Declaration of Independence, and ensuring this is upheld is the Constitutional duty of all members of Congress. Rand Paul
Roosevelt’s declaration that Americans had ‘nothing to fear but fear itself’ was a glorious piece of inspirational rhetoric and just as gloriously wrong. Russell Baker
We have had in our nation a well-celebrated Declaration of Independence. But our success as a country will depend upon a new ‘Declaration of Inter-dependence.’ A belief in how much we need each other, how much we share one common destiny. Cory Booker
Therefore I am sure that this, my Coronation, is not the symbol of a power and a splendor that are gone but a declaration of our hopes for the future, and for the years I may, by God’s Grace and Mercy, be given to reign and serve you as your Queen. Queen Elizabeth II
Tonight, we gather to affirm the greatness of our nation – not because of the height of our skyscrapers, or the power of our military, or the size of our economy. Our pride is based on a very simple premise, summed up in a declaration made over two hundred years ago. Barack Obama
The other salient characteristic of the Declaration is its universality: it applies to all human beings without any discrimination whatever; it also applies to all territories, whatever their economic or political regime. Rene Cassin
Here was buried Thomas Jefferson Author of the Declaration of American Independence Of the Statute of Virginia for religious freedom & Father of the University of Virginia. Thomas Jefferson
The United States is truly remarkable, a nation founded on a set of Enlightenment ideals so beautifully expressed by the Declaration of Independence and codified in the U.S. Constitution. We should feel good about our ideals, even when we don’t quite manage to live up to them. Jay Parini
It’s no accident that my first novel was called Americana. This was a private declaration of independence, a statement of my intention to use the whole picture, the whole culture. Don DeLillo
When Landon Carter, a Virginia plantation owner, read the Declaration of Independence two days after it was issued, he wondered whether its ringing affirmation of equality meant that slaves must be freed. If so, he confided to his diary, ‘You must send them out of the country, or they must steal for their support.’ Edmund Morgan
Divorce is a declaration of independence with only two signers. Gerald F. Lieberman
The Declaration of Independence was to set forth the moral justification of a rebellion against a long-recognized political tradition – the divine right of kings. Ezra Taft Benson
The Declaration of Independence is a sacred part of American history. Paul Gillmor
There are beautiful words in the Bible and in our pledges and the Declaration of Independence. Louis Gossett, Jr.
Be polite; write diplomatically; even in a declaration of war one observes the rules of politeness. Otto von Bismarck
Declaration of Independence, mankind was divided into nations by ethnicities and tribes. Chad Wolf
If the Constitution is worth anything, if the Declaration of Independence is worth anything, if the boys who died on the field of battle did not die in vain, fair employment practices are correct and necessary. Dennis Chavez
Our Declaration of Independence declares that democracies derive their power from the ‘consent of the governed.’ But this democracy will fail if only some of the governed are allowed to vote. Jonathan Capehart
Millions of Americans cannot tell you who lived at Mount Vernon or who wrote the Declaration of Independence – let alone the Emancipation Proclamation. But they know that to be ‘a Benedict Arnold’ is to be a traitor of the deepest dye – someone who coldly betrays not only a sacred cause but every moral scruple along the way. Arthur L. Herman
Here, in this very first paragraph of the Declaration, is the assertion of the natural right of all to the ballot; for how can ‘the consent of the governed’ be given if the right to vote be denied? Susan B. Anthony
An unlimited America was the vision for the nation set forth by our Founding Fathers. It is the vision enshrined in those two great charters of freedom: our Declaration of Independence and our Constitution. Many of America’s most intractable problems stem from the fact that we have strayed from that vision – and lost direction. Sam Brownback
The Middle East is a land of great injustice. The Israelis can claim – or wish to, at least – that Lord Balfour’s Declaration of 1917 promised Britain support for a Jewish homeland in Palestine, which didn’t just mean the left-hand bit that became Israel. Robert Fisk
Before the sacred, people lose all sense of power and all confidence; they occupy a powerless and humble attitude toward it. And yet no thing is sacred of itself, but by my declaring it sacred, by my declaration, my judgment, my bending the knee; in short, by my – conscience. Max Stirner
By the Declaration of Independence, dreaded by the foes an for a time doubtfully viewed by many of the friends of America, everything stood on a new and more respectable footing, both with regard to the operations of war or negotiations with foreign powers. Mercy Otis Warren
In its Declaration of Independence on May 15, 1948, Israel stretched out its hand in peace to its Arab neighbors, calling for an end to war and bloodshed. In response, seven Arab states invaded Israel. The U.N. resolution that partitioned the country was thus violated and effectively annulled. Yitzhak Shamir
I think Tom Paine is one of the greatest men that’s ever lived. He lived in the 18th century; as you all know, he was an Englishman who was involved in the writing of American Declaration of Independence, the American Constitution, the French Constitution, wrote the great book called ‘The Rights of Man’ – commercial over. Richard Attenborough
I am in favor of carrying out the Declaration of Independence to women as well as men. Women having to suffer the burdens of society and government should have their equal rights in it. They do not receive their rights in full proportion. Leland Stanford
Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence; Madison wrote not only the United States Constitution, or at least most of it, but also the most searching commentary on it that has ever appeared. Each of them served as president of the United States for eight years. What they had to say to each other has to command attention. Edmund Morgan
The Declaration of Independence says when government fails, the people have the right to replace it. Well, New York State government has failed and the people have the right, indeed the people have the the people have the obligation, to act. Andrew Cuomo
While most Americans know about the Boston Tea Party, few are aware of the Liberty Tree and how important it was to fanning the flames of rebellion that led to the revolution in 1775 and the Declaration of Independence. Ronald Kessler
The election of Obama will say as much about the American people as it does about Obama himself – that our Declaration of Independence means what it says in its opening lines, that being the world’s greatest nation means that we offer the world’s greatest opportunities. Rod Lurie
When Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, declaring that all men were created equal, he owned slaves. Women couldn’t vote. But, throughout history, our abolitionists, suffragettes, and civil rights leaders called on our nation, in reality, to live up to the nation’s professed ideals in that Declaration. Marvin Ammori