Full Idea
The social order is a sacred right which serves as a basis for all other rights; and as it is not a natural right, it must be one founded on covenants.
Clarification
'Covenants' are contracts
Gist of Idea
The social order is a sacred right, but based on covenants, not nature
Source
Jean-Jacques Rousseau (The Social Contract (tr Cress) [1762], I.1)
Book Reference
Rousseau,Jean-Jacques: 'The Social Contract', ed/tr. Cranston,Maurice [Penguin 1972], p.50
A Reaction
I think Rousseau is offering a contradiction here, when he suggests we have a 'sacred' right, which is nevertheless only based on 'covenants'. You can't have it both ways. This is an abuse of the word 'sacred'.