The "unalienable rights" mentioned in the Declaration of Independence are "life, liberty, and property"

Literally speaking, that's false.

The phrase in the Declaration of Independence words the unalienable rights as follows: "Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

The phrasing, "Life, liberty and property" came from the writings of John Locke, on whose ideas the Declaration of Independence was based.

In John Locke's way of framing his theory, "life, liberty, and estates" all constitute an individual's personal property. We normally think of "property" just in terms of one's "estate" - - that is land, house, belongings. From Locke's perspective, however, our property is everything that belongs to us as persons, which begins with our personhood itself. Having life and personal liberty - - those are the most important things we possess. Then comes "estate" or our land, house, belongings.

Thomas Jefferson's words in the Declaration of Independence have a similar theme, though worded differently. Pursuing happiness--a meaningful and fulfilling life--cannot happen unless life and liberty are respected and protected first.