I’m going to be honest. For most of my life, I never had any self-respect. I let people treat me how they wanted. I never stopped them from abusing me or mistreating me. Ever.
It wasn’t until much later in my life, 52 years old to be exact, when I finally learned how to respect myself and love myself, and I’ll be honest. It was self-respect quotes and inspirational quotes that helped me get through the worst time of my life.
When I finally learned to respect myself and have more self-confidence and self-esteem, my whole world changed. For the better.
I attracted people whom I wanted to be with and completely repelled all toxic people. It was beautiful and liberating.
What is Self-Respect
Self-respect isn’t just about holding your head up high and knowing you are a queen. It’s about knowing your worth, honouring your boundaries, and refusing to settle for less than you deserve. It’s the confidence of being yourself and not bending to make others like you.
Your value doesn’t come from how many people approve of you, how much you have or are worth, or how much you sacrifice for others. It comes from within. From that place inside you that knows—I am worthy, just as I am.
And self-respect isn’t an ego thing. It’s about knowing your true power and worth in a compassionate and humble way.
Many of us lose self-respect either from the way we were raised, if we were bullied or from toxic relationships. Whatever the case may be, these self-respect quotes will help you boost your low self-esteem, build your self-confidence and help you have more respect for yourself.
75 Self-Respect Quotes
Whether you’re trying to rebuild your confidence or just need a little boost, I hope these self-respect quotes find you at the right moment and give you exactly what you need.
The more self-respect you have, the less chances of people treating you like crap. Boundaries are crucial in building self-respect. Set boundaries, stick to them, and show these people who you really are.
You’ve got this. And you deserve to believe it.
Self-respect Quotes
“Respect yourself enough to walk away from anything that no longer serves you, grows you, or makes you happy.” – Robert Tew
“Self-respect is the cornerstone of all virtue.” – John Herschel
“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.” – Buddha
“Self-respect is everything. Without it, you’re nothing.”
“Don’t ever dumb yourself down just to be liked. Be real, and the right ones will respect you.”
“When you know your worth, no one can make you feel worthless.”
“Respect yourself and others will respect you.” – Confucius
“The more you love yourself, the less nonsense you’ll tolerate.”
“Self-respect knows when to walk away.”
“You teach people how to treat you by deciding what you will and won’t accept.”
“Love yourself first and everything else falls into line.” – Lucille Ball
“Stop apologizing for standing up for yourself.”
“Self-respect isn’t earned—it’s claimed.”
“You weren’t put on this earth to shrink for anyone.”
“Confidence is silent. Insecurity is loud.”
“Your vibe attracts your tribe. Raise your standards and see who sticks around.”
“Never trade your self-respect for someone else’s comfort.”
“Be proud of who you are, and not ashamed of how someone else sees you.”
“The way you treat yourself sets the standard for others.”
“Self-respect means you’re not afraid to be alone.”
“If you want to be respected by others, learn to respect yourself first.” – Fyodor Dostoevsky
“Don’t set yourself on fire to keep others warm.” (this is my favourite quote ever!)
“The respect you give yourself is the respect the world gives back.”
“Own who you are. All of it.”
“You can’t be strong for others if you’re weak with yourself.”
“Learn to say no without explaining yourself.”
“Self-respect means choosing yourself, even when others won’t.”
“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
“Respecting yourself in a world that profits from your self-doubt is a rebellious act.”
“You are enough. Period.”
“Sometimes walking away is the most powerful form of self-respect.”
“When your self-respect rises, so does your standard for how you’re treated.”
“Treat yourself like someone you’re responsible for taking care of.” – Jordan Peterson
“How you love yourself is how you teach others to love you.” – Rupi Kaur
“Boundaries are a form of self-respect.”
“You don’t have to be available to everyone all the time.”
“Choose people who choose you.”
“When you respect yourself, you don’t beg for attention.”
“You’re not difficult. You just have standards.”
“Be someone who makes you proud.”
“It’s not selfish to put yourself first. It’s necessary.”
“Self-respect is knowing you don’t need to explain your worth.”
“Let people feel the weight of who you are and let them deal with it.” – John Eldredge
“Strong people don’t put others down, they lift themselves up.”
“You deserve the same love you keep giving to everyone else.”
“You are not a backup plan.”
“Sometimes the hardest person to stand up to is yourself.”
“You weren’t born to be anyone’s afterthought.”
“You don’t need validation to be valuable.”
“Don’t let anyone talk you out of your truth.”
“The way you speak to yourself matters.”
“You are your longest commitment—treat yourself like it.”
“When you start seeing your worth, you’ll stop spending time with people who don’t.”
“Stop shrinking to fit into places you’ve outgrown.”
“You’re not too much. They’re just not enough.”
“Real self-respect is quiet. It doesn’t need to shout.”
“Dignity will always look good on you.”
“Walk away with your head high, not your heart low.”
“You don’t have to fight for a seat at a table you built.”
“If they don’t respect your boundaries, they don’t respect you.”
“Don’t chase people. Attract them.”
“It’s not your job to convince others of your worth.”
“Let go of who you were told to be. Be who you are.”
“Self-respect makes decisions easy.”
“If it costs you your peace, it’s too expensive.”
“Honor yourself like you’d honor someone you deeply love.“
“Walk like you know who you are.”
“Speak up, even if your voice shakes.”
“What you allow is what will continue.”
“Stay loyal to your standards, not your past.”
“You don’t rise by lowering yourself.”
“Refuse to be anyone’s option. You are the whole damn choice.”
“The right people will respect you more for respecting yourself.”
“Stand tall—even if you’re standing alone.”
“You deserve to take up space—emotionally, mentally, physically, all of it.”
final thoughts on self-respect quotes
I hope these self-respect quotes help you love and respect yourself more and change your life. It can be so hard for women who have been in toxic relationships their entire lives, and now, at 50 years old, they are learning how to be happy.
It’s sad, but that’s the reality of it.
I hope this article and some of the other articles here on my site will help you become a strong woman, hold your head high, love yourself and know exactly what you deserve.
