Can't understand

Question

Can someone please explain to me what the following means:

Property being an inviolable and sacred right, no one can be deprived of private usage, if it is not when the public necessity, legally noted, evidently requires it, and under the condition of a just and prior indemnity.

From the Declaration of the Rights of the Man and of the Citizen of 1789

What does it mean in simple English?

Answer 1

Ok... this still stands in the US today in most places. It means:

Owning land, a house, a business is a sacred right... or a right that comes from God not from man. No one can be told that they can't own their house if they have paid for it (or inherit it). However, sometimes situations arise when the "general public" has a need for your land (or a part of it). That need has been voted on or sanctioned by a government entity. If the government (local or federal) needs your land/house/business so they can put in a freeway or something else, then they are required to pay you a fair and good fee for it... it must be assessed by an assessor of your choice.