Full Idea
If people had wanted to keep any right for themselves, they should have made this provision at the same time as they could have safely defended it.
Gist of Idea
Once you have given up your rights, there is no going back
Source
Baruch de Spinoza (Tractatus Theologico-Politicus [1670], 16.08)
A Reaction
Spinoza is wonderful for grasping nettles. The other fans of social contracts seem blithely cheerful about how it is going to work out. But forming a society is like marriage - a risky commitment which could go horribly wrong.
Book Reference
Spinoza,Benedict de: 'Theological-Political Treatise', ed/tr. Israel,Jonathan [CUP 2007], p.200