Expõe sobre “o conteúdo e significado dos institutos jurídicos da dignidade da pessoa humana e dos direitos fundamentais” por meio de um estudo teórico-documental.; This article studies the content and meaning of legal institutions of human dignity and fundamental rights, considering the increasing use and importance of the current stage of the Democratic State of Law. This study aims to contribute to the correct application of these principles in a particular case, avoiding the misuse of those institutes, which is a risk already considered by some academics of law. It will also be addressed in a summary way, the phenomenon known as horizontal effectiveness of fundamental rights, which contributed, directly or indirectly, to further stimulate the interest of legal operators in maintaining the prerogatives of the fundamental rights and human dignity. The end of work will highlight the connection between them.