Self-respect over self-esteem.

Self-esteem is to evaluate ourselves. To assess our virtues and our faults. It will fluctuate throughout life and is susceptible to the opinions of ourself and of those around us.

Self-respect is to be content with ourselves. To accept our virtues and our faults, and to acknowledge that there will be highs and lows throughout life.

Self-respect is to forgo opinions, to know our worth, and to treat others with the same kind of respect.

Where self-esteem may be damaged, self-respect is difficult to shatter.

‘Character - the willingness to accept responsibility for one’s own life - is the source from which self-respect springs’ - Joan Didion.