"A person's own habits and attitudes often limit that person's freedom more than do restrictionsimposed by others."

I strongly agree with the contention that we often limit our own freedom through our habits
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and attitudes. By limiting our own freedom, we often serve our own interests. And as we learn
this lesson, we cultivate certain attitudes and habits--particularly in our relationships with
others--by which we apply that lesson, and which continue throughout life.
To appreciate that from an early age we ingrain in ourselves habits that serve to constrain
our freedom, one need look no further than the neighborhood playground. Even without adult
supervision, a group of youngsters at play invariably establish mutually agreed-upon rules of
conduct--whether or not a sport or game is involved. Children learn that without any rules for
behavior the playground bully usually prevails. Thus our habit of making choices that constrain
our own freedom stems from our desire to protect our own interests, and it begins at an early
age.
This habit of making choices that constrain our own freedom co...