A person should have a minimal amount of respect for each individual, as a certain amount of respect is coupled with love, which we should give to all we meet. Loving others as you love yourself includes respecting others as you respect yourself, assuming it is a healthy amount. But that level of respect which you give others should act as a minimum, and everything above that minimum has to be earned and can always be lost.
This minimum level of respect is something I will call intrinsic respect. Anything above that is extrinsic. This extrinsic respect is meant to be dynamic in nature. It is not based on status, position, fame or authority. It is based on the actions taken by the subject which are comprehended by the observer (the one giving the respect). All extrinsic respect must be won, and it can later be lost. Respect is never a fixed variable in time-space. Even intrinsic respect may change based on how much love one is able to share each moment.
No perfect being
demands respect from others or works solely so that it can be gained. People are not going to be admired or respected by everyone, so working to gain
such a thing should never be the highest goal.
It is unattainable and creates an unbalanced ego.
This post is linked with a longer post on honor, which is coming next.
No comments:
Post a Comment