“The problem is to find a form of association which will defend and protect with the whole common force the person and goods of each associate, and in which each, while uniting himself with all, may still obey himself alone, and remain as free as before.” “The clauses of the contract⁠ ⁠… are everywhere the same and everywhere tacitly admitted and recognised.⁠ ⁠… These clauses, properly understood, may be reduced to one⁠—the total alienation of each associate, together with all his rights, to the whole community⁠ ⁠… ; for, if the individuals retained certain rights, as there would be no common superior to decide between them and the public, each, being on one point his own judge, would ask to be so on all, and the state of nature would continue” (Book I , chap. VI