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.

In this quote, Paul Ryan reflects on the foundational principles of the United States, specifically referencing the Declaration of Independence and its assertion that rights are derived from nature and nature’s God, rather than from the government. Ryan emphasizes that the framers of the Declaration correctly recognized that individuals' rights are inherent and not granted by any government or political institution. This idea highlights the belief in unalienable rights, which cannot be taken away because they are not bestowed by man-made laws but are part of human nature and divine order.

Ryan's statement reinforces a core belief in natural rights, which are the rights individuals possess by virtue of being human. The idea that these rights come from nature and nature's God implies that they are universal, fundamental, and inalienable. By contrasting these natural rights with those given by government, Ryan suggests that government should protect, not create or limit, these rights. This philosophy is rooted in the Enlightenment ideas of thinkers like John Locke, who argued that people are born with certain natural rights that are not subject to government authority.

The origin of this quote lies in Ryan’s broader political philosophy, which advocates for limited government and emphasizes individual freedom. By referencing the Declaration of Independence, Ryan aligns himself with the vision of the founding fathers, who believed that government should be a protector of natural rights, not a creator or limiter of them. This perspective often serves as a basis for arguments about reducing government intervention and promoting personal liberty.

Ultimately, Ryan’s quote underscores the belief in individual freedom and the role of government as a protector of natural rights, not their source. It’s a call to remember the principles established by the founders and to resist the expansion of government power that could infringe upon those inherent freedoms. This view reflects a classical liberal approach to governance, advocating for the preservation of unalienable rights as the foundation of a just society.