Final answer:
John Locke originally cited "Life, Liberty, and Property" as natural rights in his writings. Thomas Jefferson adapted this to "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness" in the Declaration of Independence, thus not directly reflecting Locke's wording.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the writings of John Locke, the phrase mentioned refers to "Life, Liberty, and Estate" rather than "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness." While Thomas Jefferson was influenced by Locke's philosophy, he adapted the concept in the Declaration of Independence to encompass "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness." In Locke's view, the most important natural rights were Life, Liberty, and Property. Jefferson's departure from Locke's original trifecta of natural rights reflects a broader understanding of what constitutes an unalienable right, thus substituting "property" with the broader concept of "the pursuit of happiness." The pursuit of happiness captures an existential and philosophical breadth that extends beyond mere material possession to the overall well-being of the individual.