Question

29 read the text below, and answer the question that follows. i know some say, let us have good laws, and no matter for the men that execute them: but let them consider, that though good laws do well, good men do better: for good laws may want good men, and be abolished or evaded invaded in franklins print by ill men but good men will never want good laws, nor suffer ill ones. it is true, good laws have some awe upon ill ministers, but that is where they have not power to escape or abolish them, and the people are generally wise and good: but a loose and depraved people (which is the question) love laws and an administration like themselves. that, therefore, which makes a good constitution, must keep it, we, men of wisdom and virtue, qualities, that because they descend not with worldly inheritances, must be carefully propagated by a virtuous education of youth: for which after ages will owe more to the care and prudence of founders, and the successive magistracy, than to their parents, for their private patrimonies. what is the theme of this text? people can never govern their own wishes and desires. in some societies, people cannot be controlled. the downfall of laws is that they can be corrupted. laws are not enough to create a good society; people must be taught to be good people.

Explanation:

The text emphasizes that good laws alone aren't enough for a good society. It states that people need to be taught to be good through virtuous education, and that a good constitution must be maintained by wise and virtuous men, which comes from proper upbringing. Among the options, "Laws are not enough to create a good society; people must be taught to be good people" aligns with this theme. The other options either misinterpret the text (e.g., "People can never govern their own wishes..." is not the focus, "In some societies, people cannot be controlled" is not discussed, "The downfall of laws is that they can be corrupted" is not the main theme).

Answer:

Laws are not enough to create a good society; people must be taught to be good people.