How we cite our quotes: (Article.Sentence)
Quote #1
Liberty consists in the freedom to do everything which injures no one else; hence the exercise of the natural rights of each man has no limits except those which assure to the other members of the society the enjoyment of the same rights. These limits can only be determined by law. (4.1)
That's a lot of rights all rolled into one clause. People are given the right to do everything that doesn't take away someone else's rights—yeah, everything. This list could have gone on forever because people have so many rights. Fortunate for us, they capped it at seventeen and included this explanation for why there aren't more.
Quote #2
No one shall be disquieted on account of his opinions, including his religious views, provided their manifestation does not disturb the public order established by law. (10.1)
This is the French version of the right to free speech and the freedom of religion along with the idea that these rights have almost no limits. Again, laws are the only things that can limit right, and even then only if the laws were created for the greater good.
Quote #3
The free communication of ideas and opinions is one of the most precious of the rights of man. Every citizen may, accordingly, speak, write, and print with freedom, but shall be responsible for such abuses of this freedom as shall be defined by law. (11.1-2)
The right to free speech and press come with a warning about abuses. The authors are again worried that if they're not very specific, people may misuse this Declaration. Should the American version have included that too?
Quote #4
A common contribution is essential for the maintenance of the public forces and for the cost of administration. This should be equitably distributed among all the citizens in proportion to their means. (13.1-2)
It turns out people don't have the right to not pay taxes; this is going to come as a surprise to a lot of nobles who haven't ever had to pay them before.
Quote #5
All the citizens have a right to decide, either personally or by their representatives, as to the necessity of the public contribution; to grant this freely; to know to what uses it is put; and to fix the proportion, the mode of assessment and of collection and the duration of the taxes. (14.1)
People now have the privilege of electing representatives to government and the right to pay fair taxes. They no longer have the privilege of a title that exempts them from taxes, or the right to literally lord over people.