50 Best Respect Quotes for Kids to Teach Self-Love & Kindness (2024)

Why do you need to know the best respect quotes for kids?

Modeling and instilling the value of respect, for oneself and others, is a foundational value from which empathy and inclusion can grow.

Respect is not just about being polite; it’s about instilling self-love and kindness for others.

Inspirational respect quotes serve as gentle reminders that respect starts with us as caregivers.

Whether you’re a parent, guardian, teacher, or counselor, our top 50 best respect quotes for kids are great conversation starters to help spark care and compassion. Let’s dive in!

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What are respect quotes for kids?

Respect quotes for kids are inspirational and thought-provoking phrases that inspire children (and the adults who love them) to treat all humans with dignity and compassion.

Considerations for positive parenting

Traditional parenting often reinforces the concept that “respect is earned, not given;” however, positive parenting charges parents to adopt the opposite framework.

Kids learn through their caregivers. They are keen observers and are most likely to grow into the behaviors and habits they see firsthand once developmentally ready.

Our 50 Favorite Respect Quotes for Kids at Home & School

Instilling the value of respect is an essential goal for both parents and educators alike, and it starts with modeling and teaching at home and school.

In this blog post, we’ve compiled 50 inspirational (and some famous!) respect quotes for kids that foster a culture of kindness, empathy, and understanding in both the family and classroom settings.

The Best Overall Respect Quotes for Kids

#1: “Respect and compassion aren’t about how you feel for someone; they are more about how you make others feel.” -Dr. Prem Jagyasi

#2: “When we love and respect people, revealing to them their value, they can begin to come out from behind the walls that protect them.” -Jean Vanier

#3: “Love is honesty. Love is a mutual respect for one another.” -Simone Elkeles

#4: “Respecting others’ opinions doesn’t mean being untrue to our own.” -P. M. Forni

#5: “Knowledge will give you power, but character respect.” -Bruce Lee

#6: “Be more humble than a blade of grass, more tolerant than a tree, always offering respect onto others and never expecting any in return.” -Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

#7: “Let us develop respect for all living things. Let us try to replace violence and intolerance with understanding and compassion. And love.” -Jane Goodall

#8: “The wise make the world beautiful by respecting others.” -Maxime Lagacé

#9: “Respect is appreciation of the separateness of the other person, of the ways in which he or she is unique.” -Annie Gottlieb

#10: “Respect is more than just caring for another, it’s caring for humanity.” -Maxime Lagacé

#11: “Our goal must be decency and respect for every human we encounter.” -Oprah Winfrey

#12: “Love is a combination of friendship, passion, and respect.” -John Glenn

#13: “There is no respect for others without humility in one’s self.” -Henri Frederic Amiel

#14: “You find when you pursue a life of greater health and happiness, you then treat the body you have with dignity, respect, and absolute care.” -Dale Roberts

#15: “Openness, respect, integrity – these are principles that need to underpin pretty much every other decision that you make.” -Justin Trudeau

#16: “Healthy relationships of all kinds are usually composed of honesty, trust, and respect.” -Ace McCloud

#17: “This world of ours… must avoid becoming a community of dreadful fear and hate, and be, instead, a proud confederation of mutual trust and respect.” -Dwight D. Eisenhower

#18: “If we lose love and self respect for each other, this is how we finally die.” -Maya Angelou

The Best Respect Quotes for Kids About Kindness

#19: “Love is kindness, compassion, generosity, empathy, respect, understanding, forgiveness and sacrifice: the very best in us.” -Laurence Overmire

#20: “When you practice gratefulness, there is a sense of respect toward others.” -Dalai Lama

#21: “When you show people kindness and respect, despite petty differences, you are bringing positive vibes into your life and into the lives of others.” -Jason Scotts

#22: “The whole concept of treating people with dignity and respect is a concept that isn’t a business concept, it’s a life concept. It’s who you are at the end of the day.” -Greg Brenneman

#23: “Respect has nothing to do with who is right and who is wrong. It has to do with allowing space for someone else’s opinion.” -Jackie Viramontez

Best Respect Quotes for Students

#24: “To be one, to be united is a great thing. But to respect the right to be different is maybe even greater.” -Bono

#25: “We don’t need to share the same opinions as others, but we need to be respectful.” -Taylor Swift

#26: “We will not agree on every issue. But let us respect those differences and respect one another.” -John Lynch

#27: “It’s not about winning or losing, but love and respect.” -Max Lucado

#28: “Being brilliant is no great feat if you respect nothing.” -Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

#29: “Have a big enough heart to love unconditionally, and a broad enough mind to embrace the differences that make each of us unique.” -D.B. Harrop

#30: “I have seen many storms in my life. Most storms have caught me by surprise, so I had to learn very quickly to look further and understand that I am not capable of controlling the weather, to exercise the art of patience and to respect the fury of nature.” -Paulo Coelho

#31: “You will never gain anyone’s approval by begging for it. When you stand confident in your own worth, respect follows.” -Mandy Hale

Best Self-Respect Quotes for Boys

#32: “Deeply respecting yourself is the first step toward having a deep respect for others.” -Amy Leigh Mercree

#33: “The secret of a happy life is respect. Respect for yourself and respect for others.” -Ayad Akhtar

#34: “Without feelings of respect, what is there to distinguish men from beasts?” -Confucius

#35: “Respect your efforts, respect yourself. Self-respect leads to self-discipline. When you have both firmly under your belt, that’s real power.” -Clint Eastwood

#36: “Respectable character is developed by consistency in self-discipline and self-control.” -Anil Kumar Sinha

#37: “Self-reliance and self respect are about as valuable commodities as we can carry in our pack through life.” -Luther Burbank

#38: “Self-respect is the noblest garment with which a man may clothe himself.” -Samuel Smiles

Best Self-Respect Quotes for Girls

#39: “Self-respect is the cornerstone of all virtue.” -John Herschell

#40: “The more you know and respect yourself, the more impact you will have on people around you.” -Maxime Lagacé

#41: “Respect yourself, respect your own inner voice and follow it.” -Osho

#42: “Have respect for yourself, and patience and compassion. With these, you can handle anything.” -Jack Kornfield

#43: “I firmly believe that respect is a lot more important, and a lot greater, than popularity.” -Julius Erving

#44: “Self-respect grows from living a life you admire. Self-respect comes from looking inward.” -Deborah Norville

#45: “It’s important to be optimistic and proud of who you are. Show yourself the respect you deserve. People enjoy being around others who are positive and confident.” -Zane Rozzi

Best “Teach Your Child Respect” Quotes

#46: “Everyone in society should be a role model, not only for their own self-respect, but for respect from others.” -Barry Bonds

#47: “If you want your child to choose kindness in their moments of anger, show them kindness in your moments of anger.” -Tana Amodeo, suchalittlewhile.com

#48: “A role model can teach you to love and respect yourself.” -Tionne Watkins

#49: “Respect is a two-way street, if you want to get it, you’ve got to give it.” -R.G. Risch

#50: “Respect your kids, too many adults demand respect from kids without showing any respect in return. Doesn’t work.” -Lyle Perry

The Last Thing You Need to Know About Raising Kids with Respect

Raising kids with respect is a gift that will keep on giving for generations to come.

A respectful approach to life helps children navigate relationships, resolve conflicts, and build bridges despite differences. It fosters empathy, kindness, and a deep appreciation for our diverse world.

To learn more about respectful, positive parenting, I invite you to join the thousands of caregivers from around the world who have completed Such a Little While’s FREE 30-Day Positive Parenting Challenge:

When we lead by example, nurture compassion, and provide the guidance kids need to understand and value respect, we can shape a brighter future.

You’ve got this!