“The representatives of the French people, organized as a National Assembly, believing that the ignorance, neglect, or contempt of the rights of man are the sole cause of public calamities and of the corruption of governments, have determined to set forth in a solemn declaration the natural, inalienable, and sacred right of man…”
The first four words of this quote are significant in themselves alone. The National Assembly of France not only authored this Declaration, but also considered themselves the representatives of France and its people as a whole. France around the time of the revolution faced uncertainty because of the division created between supporters and opposers of the movement. There was a major change in the way that people thought of themselves and qualities they valued. There was a push to standardize rights for all and to have a government that noticed the need and was willing to create an environment to support it.
Even further, the fact that the National Assembly is composed of French citizens is a testament in itself to the arriving change. In other words, a group composed of French citizens was bringing attentions to issues of French citizens. The concept of inalienable rights favor citizens by forcing a government to recognize them. The use of the word sacred insists on them being respected to an almost religious context as far as reverence. The use of the word natural adds to this point as well. Natural rights would suggest an individual is born with them; having been given them by his creator.