Enlightenment Ideas in the Declaration of Independence

In the context of Enlightenment thought, which the Founding Fathers heavily drew upon when drafting the Declaration of Independence, certain philosophical ideas regarding governance and individual rights were paramount. John Locke's theories on natural rights and the social contract were particularly influential. Consider the following statements regarding the implications of these Enlightenment ideas as reflected in the Declaration of Independence:

Which of the following statements accurately represents a fundamental principle from the Declaration of Independence as influenced by Enlightenment philosophy?