The phrase "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" is included in the United States Declaration of Independence. It appears in the second paragraph of the Declaration, which states: "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"

. This phrase highlights three fundamental unalienable rights that the Declaration says have been given to all humans by their Creator, and which governments are created to protect. The phrase was drafted by Thomas Jefferson and edited by the Committee of Five before adoption by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776

. It is not legally binding but serves as a powerful statement of principles underlying American government and identity

. The phrase has inspired discussions on the meaning of "pursuit of happiness," which historically meant not just chasing happiness but actually practicing or achieving a state of happiness as a quality of life