Final answer:
John Locke's original phrase was 'life, liberty, and property'. Thomas Jefferson changed 'property' to 'pursuit of happiness' in the Declaration of Independence to emphasize individual rights to personal fulfillment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Thomas Jefferson's phrase 'life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness' indeed was a modification of John Locke's earlier stated principle of 'life, liberty, and property'. John Locke was a 17th-century philosopher who had a significant influence on the American founding fathers. He believed that individuals have a right to self-determination and the fruits of their own labor, hence the term 'property'. Jefferson, in the Declaration of Independence, adjusted this to 'pursuit of happiness', highlighting the inherent right to strive for personal fulfillment and happiness.
Learn more about John Locke's influence on Thomas Jefferson