Official text rightpowerlimitif conditionlegal term
Each individual of the society has a right to be protected by it in the enjoyment of his life, liberty and property, according to standing laws. He is obliged, consequently, to contribute his share to the expense of this protection; to give his personal service, or an equivalent, when necessary: but no part of the property of any individual can, with justice, be taken from him, or applied to public uses, without his own consent, or that of the representative body of the people. In fine, the people of this commonwealth are not controllable by any other laws than those to which their constitutional representative body have given their consent. And whenever the public exigencies require that the property of any individual should be appropriated to public uses, he shall receive a reasonable compensation therefor.
Note (Massachusetts Legislature): [See Amendments, Arts. XXXIX, XLIII, XLVII, XLVIII, The Initiative, II, sec. 2, XLIX, L, LI and XCVII.]
Simplified explanation
Each individual has a right to be protected in life, liberty and property under standing laws, and must contribute his share to that protection. No property may be taken or applied to public uses without his consent or that of the representative body, and property appropriated to public uses requires reasonable compensation.