Self-respect has to be earned and deserved
Thursday, August 07, 2008THE ISSUE: Character trait for August
OUR OPINION: ‘But, most of all, respect yourselves’
Self respect -- self-respect ... Self-respect with or without a hyphen is the character trait for Orangeburg County for August 2008.
We already have “respect” as a trait. What’s the difference? Do they resemble each other? Of course, but self-respect is more specialized. Either one has to be earned, deserved. Self-centerism should be especially hard-earned, hard to come by.
If you’re just stuck on yourself, too big for your britches, cocky, you look foolish and don’t fool many. No, it has to be earned, deserved, unarguable. Self-esteem, self-satisfaction, self-sufficiency, self-centeredness can be genuine or they’re worthless.
Self-respect means nobility, dignified, high-toned, high-minded, majesterial, solemn, sober, grave, lofty, prideful because you’ve got real stuff to be proud of.
“But, most of all, respect yourselves.” -- Pythagorus, 6th century B.C.
People whose jobs are noble causes, serious endeavors, can’t function effectively without personal respect for their own personhood, which also demands the respect of the outside world.
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