Question

1Of all the attributes essential to a respected man or woman or to a respected nation, the predominant characteristic is self-discipline. 2Laws cannot be made compelling people to suppress their desire for power or position. 3No method of legislating such wisdom exists. 4As free people, we must face a choice between two types of discipline. 5One is the self-discipline that is still open to us—the kind that free people and free nations exercise when they select the executives, lawmakers, and judges who will govern them and assure their protection and well-being. 6The second is a cold-blooded, ill-intentioned, form of discipline that may be thrust upon us by strangers—the discipline of force, terrorism, suspicion, and intimidation—the discipline used in totalitarian regimes.

Sentences two and three say that self-discipline cannot be enforced by _____.

respected man or woman
self
laws

Answer 1

let's isolate sentences 2-3

2 Laws cannot be made compelling people to suppress their desire for power or position. 3 No method of legislating such wisdom exists.

pay extra attention to sentence 2. it's saying that something can't force people to hold back their desires. what is that something?