"August words" (C.S.Lewis)

[fpb]

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.

Comments

[izhilzha.livejournal.com]

*stands at attention*

A friend pointed out recently that it's "the pursuit of happiness;" not the right to be happy, but the right to seek it. Anyway.

[fpb.livejournal.com]

Exactly. The last essay C.S.Lewis wrote before his death was exactly about this distinction. That is also where I found his description of this passage as "august words."