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.

The quote "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" comes from the Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson in 1776. This document declared the American colonies' independence from Britain and laid the foundation for the principles of freedom and equality that the nation would strive for.

The phrase emphasizes the self-evidence of these fundamental truths, meaning they are obvious and undeniable. Jefferson is asserting that the concept of equality among people is inherent, not granted by governments or rulers, but endowed by a Creator. This was a radical idea at the time, challenging existing hierarchies and the notion that some people were born with rights superior to others.

Jefferson also highlights the concept of unalienable rights—rights that cannot be taken away or surrendered. Among these rights are life, the right to exist; liberty, the right to freedom; and the pursuit of happiness, the right to seek fulfillment and personal well-being. These principles formed the bedrock of American democracy, influencing subsequent legal and philosophical thinking.

This quote's origin in the Declaration of Independence has made it one of the most cited expressions of human rights and equality in history, symbolizing the universal aspirations for freedom and justice.