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About this quote

What does it mean?
Being content with yourself and not comparing or competing leads to respect from others.
In plain terms
If you are happy being yourself and don't compare, people will respect you.
What can you take from it?
Self‑acceptance earns respect.

Where it applies

  • personal relationships
  • workplace dynamics

Putting it to work

  • practice self‑reflection
  • avoid competitive mindset

Questions to consider

  • How does comparison affect your self‑esteem?
  • Can respect be earned without effort?

Another view

Respect may still be withheld by those who value dominance.

More from Lao Tzu

  1. When a nation is filled with strife, then do patriots flourish.

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  2. When the center does not hold, the circle falls apart. [References 'The Second Coming' by William Butler Yeats]

    Permalink to quote #32
  3. To see things in the seed, that is genius.

    Permalink to quote #29

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