Final answer:
The quote suggests that people view Sykes as someone who believes that a person's decency cannot be forced upon them by any law.
Step-by-step explanation:
The quote suggests that people view Sykes as someone who believes that a person's decency cannot be forced upon them by any law. Instead, it is believed that a person's decency is inherent and comes from within. This quote implies that Sykes does not believe in external forces or laws being able to dictate a person's behavior. Rather, he believes that one's decency is a reflection of who they are as a person.