In the Declaration of Independence, the term ‘endowed’ refers to the inherent rights and qualities that individuals possess simply by being human. The phrase ‘that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights’ indicates that these rights are not given by any government or authority, but are instead fundamental to each person’s existence.
This concept emphasizes the belief that people have a set of rights that cannot be taken away, such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The use of the word ‘endowed’ suggests that these rights are a natural part of being human, bestowed upon us by a higher power or the very nature of existence itself. The Declaration argues that recognizing and protecting these rights is essential for a just society, implying that any government should be formed with the purpose of safeguarding these inherent rights for all individuals.