People who treat other people as less than human must not be surprised when the bread they have cast on the waters comes floating back to them, poisoned.
—James Baldwin (1924–87) American Novelist, Social Critic
Having chosen our course, without guile and with pure purpose, let us renew our trust in God, and go forward without fear and with manly hearts.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
That wealth and greatness are often regarded with the respect and admiration which are due only to wisdom and virtue; and that the contempt, of which vice and folly are the only proper objects, is most often unjustly bestowed upon poverty and weakness, has been the complaint of moralists in all ages.
—George Goodman (b.1930) American Economist, Author
I respect the man who knows distinctly what he wishes. The greater part of all mischief in the world arises from the fact that men do not sufficiently understand their own aims. They have undertaken to build a tower, and spend no more labor on the foundation than would be necessary to erect a hut.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
If you have some respect for people as they are, you can be more effective in helping them to become better than they are.
—John W. Gardner (1912–2002) American Activist
The myths have always condemned those who “looked back.” Condemned them, whatever the paradise may have been which they were leaving. Hence this shadow over each departure from your decision.
—Dag Hammarskjold (1905–61) Swedish Statesman, UN Diplomat
Respect a man, he will do the more.
—James Howell (c.1593–1666) Anglo-Welsh Writer, Historian
He that respects not is not respected.
—George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh Anglican Poet, Orator, Clergyman
Nothing is more despicable than respect based on fear.
—Albert Camus (1913–60) Algerian-born French Philosopher, Dramatist, Essayist, Novelist, Author
Almsgiving tends to perpetuate poverty; aid does away with it once and for all. Almsgiving leaves a man just where he was before. Aid restores him to society as an individual worthy of all respect and not as a man with a grievance. Almsgiving is the generosity of the rich; social aid levels up social inequalities. Charity separates the rich from the poor; aid raises the needy and sets him on the same level with the rich.
—Eva Peron (1919–52) Argentinean Politician, Social Reformer
Impudence is the worst of all human diseases.
—Euripides (480–406 BCE) Ancient Greek Dramatist
Fools take to themselves the respect that is given to their office.
—Aesop (620–564 BCE) Greek Fabulist
Whose best and most fruitful gift was the power of admiration, which made it possible for me to learn. Now, as in my youth, I am looking up to the truly great creations of the past, which I see high above my own and which alone deserve the name of greatness.
—Thomas Mann (1875–1955) German Novelist, Short Story Writer, Social Critic, Philanthropist, Essayist
As we grow as unique persons, we learn to respect the uniqueness of others.
—Robert H. Schuller (1926–2015) American Christian Televangelist, Author
To be sensual, I think, is to respect and rejoice in the force of life, of life itself, and to be present in all that one does, from the effort of loving to the making of bread.
—James Baldwin (1924–87) American Novelist, Social Critic
A good friend who points out mistakes and imperfections and rebukes evil is to be respected as if he reveals a secret of hidden treasure.
—Buddhist Teaching
Respect commands itself and it can neither be given nor withheld when it is due.
—Eldridge Cleaver (1935–98) American Author, Activist
Men naturally despise those who court them, but respect those who do not give way to them.
—Thucydides (c.455?c.400 BCE) Greek Historian
Respect your efforts, respect yourself. Self-respect leads to self-discipline. When you have both firmly under your belt, that’s real power.
—Clint Eastwood (b.1930) American Film Director, Film Producer, Film Actor
What women want is what men want. They want respect.
—Marilyn vos Savant (b.1946) American Columnist, Author, Lecture, Playwright
He who has never learned to obey cannot be a good commander.
—Aristotle (384BCE–322BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher, Scholar
Respect the burden.
—Napoleon I (1769–1821) Emperor of France
Self-respect is the cornerstone of all virtue.
—John Herschel (1792–1871) English Mathematician, Astronomer, Chemist
To have a respect for ourselves guides our morals; and to have a deference for others governs our manners.
—Laurence Sterne (1713–68) Irish Anglican Novelist, Clergyman
People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. Never esteem anything as of advantage to you that will make you break your word or lose your self-respect.
—Marcus Aurelius (121–180) Emperor of Rome, Stoic Philosopher
A mere literary man is a dull man; a man who is solely a man of business is a selfish man; but when literature and commerce are united, they make a respectable man.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Respect starts with yourself.
—Common Proverb
A youth is to be regarded with respect. How do you know that his future will not be equal to our present?
—Confucius (551–479 BCE) Chinese Philosopher
We must build a new world, a far better world—one in which the eternal dignity of man is respected.
—Harry S. Truman (1884–1972) American Head of State
Without feelings of respect, what is there to distinguish men from beasts?
—Confucius (551–479 BCE) Chinese Philosopher
We always like those who admire us, but we do not always like those whom we admire.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
Don’t listen to those who say, “It’s not done that way.” Maybe it’s not, but maybe you will. Don’t listen to those who say, “You’re taking too big a chance.” Michelangelo would have painted the Sistine floor, and it would surely be rubbed out by today. Most importantly, don’t listen when the little voice of fear inside of you rears its ugly head and says, “They’re all smarter than you out there. They’re more talented, they’re taller, blonder, prettier, luckier and have connections … ” I firmly believe that if you follow a path that interests you, not to the exclusion of love, sensitivity, and cooperation with others, but with the strength of conviction that you can move others by your own efforts, and do not make success or failure the criteria by which you live, the chances are you’ll be a person worthy of your own respect.
—Neil Simon (1927–2018) American Playwright
A child who is allowed to be disrespectful to his parents will not have true respect for anyone.
—Billy Graham (1918–91) American Baptist Religious Leader
I shall be glad when you have strangled the invincible respectability that dogs your steps.
—D. H. Lawrence (1885–1930) English Novelist, Playwright, Poet, Essayist, Literary Critic
When one has never heard a man’s name in the course of one’s life, it speaks volumes for him; he must be quite respectable.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
Treating your adversary with respect is giving him an advantage to which he is not entitled.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Reverence is one of the signs of strength, irreverence one of the surest indications of weakness. No man will rise high who jeers at sacred things. The fine loyalties of life must be reverenced or they will be fore sworn in the day of trial.
—Unknown
I hate victims who respect their executioners.
—Jean-Paul Sartre (1905–80) French Philosopher, Playwright, Novelist, Screenwriter, Political Activist
A celebrated people lose dignity upon a closer view.
—Napoleon I (1769–1821) Emperor of France
When you are content to be simply yourself and don’t compare or compete, everybody will respect you.
—Laozi (fl.6th Century BCE) Chinese Philosopher, Sage
True humility is intelligent self respect which keeps us from thinking too highly or too meanly of ourselves. It makes us modest by reminding us how far we have come short of what we can be.
—Ralph Washington Sockman (1889–1970) American United Methodist Pastor
I believe in human beings, and that all human beings should be respected as such, regardless of their color.
—Malcolm X (1925–65) American Civil Rights Leader
Things hard to come by are much esteemed.
—Latin Proverb
The respect of those you respect is worth more than the applause of the multitude.
—Arnold Glasow (1905–98) American Businessman
Religion—a daughter of Hope and Fear, explaining to Ignorance the nature of the Unknowable.—Impiety—your irreverence toward my deity.
—Ambrose Bierce (1842–1913) American Short-story Writer, Journalist
Our society must make it right and possible for old people not to fear the young or be deserted by them, for the test of a civilization is the way that it cares for its helpless members.
—Pearl S. Buck (1892–1973) American Novelist, Human Rights Activist
I think the worst thing this nation could do for humanity would be to leave any uncertainty as to our will, our purpose and our capacity to carry out our purpose.
—Hubert Humphrey (1911–78) American Head of State, Politician
Respect is the key determinant of high-performance leadership. How much people respect you determines how well they perform.
—Brian Tracy (b.1944) American Author, Motivational Speaker
Probably no greater honor can come to any man than the respect of his colleagues.
—Cary Grant (1904–86) British-American Film Actor
The way to procure insults is to submit to them. A man meets with no more respect than he exacts.
—William Hazlitt (1778–1830) English Essayist