150+ Quotes About Respect In Relationships And Love

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Respecting your partner’s boundaries and space and letting your partner know about their special place in your life are crucial in any relationship. Also, sharing respect in relationship quotes may help strengthen your bond with them and express your adoration and care towards them. These showcase your kindness, empathy, and gratitude towards them and can help foster a relationship based on love, trust, loyalty, and mutual regard. Read on to find some of the best quotes that will help strengthen your relationship with your love.

150+ Respect in Relationship Quotes

Respect is an important aspect of any relationship. Whether between romantic partners, parents, family members, co-workers, or friends, respect is often the measure of how much they value your boundaries. Having respect for healthy boundaries helps a relationship flourish. Moreover, it is imperative to respect boundaries to build trust and safety in relationships (1).

Blogger Sana Umar discusses the value of respect in her blog. As with many others, she started with the notion that love has the greatest power in a relationship. But later, she learned that respect has a far higher place. She writes, “In my early years of life, most specifically in my teenage years, I always thought that love was one of life’s greatest gifts. But later in my life I realised that respect is the building block of love. Love can easily falter without respect, and relationships can crumble.” She also shares the moment where she realized this truth. She adds, “Here I’ll share a small moment that formed this belief. One time, a dear friend of mine, one who’d been married for years, said to me, ‘Love got us together, but respect has kept us strong.’ These words stuck with me because they made so much sense. Respect keeps a fire burning when life’s winds blow hard; love only lights that fire at first (i).” 

These relationship quotes about respect will show how important it is to value your relationships. These quotes about respect have been curated from famous personalities as well as anonymous ones as they talk about mutual understanding and appreciation. Moreover, they show the value of treating each other with dignity in relationships.

Quotes About Respect In Relationships

Respect is the most important thing in a relationship. It is essential for nurturing loving, caring, and lasting relationships. Without mutual respect, a relationship is unlikely to endure. Along with love, respect, trust, and appreciation, conscious attention is another essential factor that keeps a relationship going. Studies show that relationships in which the partners trust and respect each other and also provide attention are happiest (2). We bring to you some of the best quotes that talk about the importance of respect in a relationship.

1. “You can demand courtesy but you have to earn respect.” – Lawrence Goldstone
2. “I must respect the opinions of others even if I disagree with them.” – Herbert H. Lehman
3. “Never trade respect for attention.” – Mel Robbins
4. “The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed’’ – Carl Jung
5. “She always thought she needed someone to love when all she really needed to do was love the world and let love find her in its time and in its way.’’– Kate McGahan
6. “Knowledge will give you power, but character respect.” – Bruce Lee
7. “Once you take care of people, people respect you.” – George Weah
8. “Men are respectable only as they respect.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
9. “Love doesn’t just happen. One has to make it happen.” – Unknown
10. ”There are multiple ways to express love. But there may only be one way to genuinely convey your respect.” – Unknown
11. “Respect is what we owe; love, what we give.” – Philip James Bailey
12. ”Respect people who find time for you in their busy schedule. But cherish the ones people who change their schedule to be with you.” – Unknown
13. “Politeness is a sign of dignity, not subservience.” – Theodore Roosevelt
14. “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
15. “No matter what anyone says or how they act towards you, always remember that they see only what you want to show them.” – Unknown
16. “I cannot compromise my respect for your love. You can keep your love, I will keep my respect.” – Amit Kalantri
17. “I speak to everyone in the same way, whether he is the garbage man or the president of the university.” – Albert Einstein
18. “To be one, to be united is a great thing. But to respect the right to be different is maybe even greater.” – Bono
19. “When we treat people merely as they are, they will remain as they are. When we treat them as if they were what they should be, they will become what they should be.” – Thomas S. Monson
20. ”Respect is the truest guardian of a loving and caring mind.” – Unknown
21. “Nothing is more despicable than respect based on fear.”– Albert Camus
22. “A person who has no respect for himself is incapable of having any respect for his partner.” – Unknown
23. ”Long distance relationship will work if two people involved have inherent love and genuine respect for one another.” – Unknown
24. “One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say.” – Bryant H. McGill
25. “All sides must learn to respect one another.” – Reuven Rivlin
26. “Be modest, be respectful of others, try to understand.” – Lakhdar Brahimi
27. “If we can respect the divine within us, if we can treat it with dignity, then we can respect others around us.” – Vishwas Chavan
28. “I like people who refuse to speak until they are ready to speak.’’- Lillian Hellman
29. “Learn to live in this world with self-respect.”– B.R Ambedkar
30. “You will gain more respect and esteem through listening rather than through talking.” – Clive Harman
31. “Respect is one of the greatest expressions of love.” – Miguel Angel Ruiz

32. “Being brilliant is no great feat if you respect nothing.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
33. “How people treat you with their karma. How you react is yours.” – Wayne W. Dyer
34. “If we are not free, no one will respect us.” – A.P.J Abdul Kalam
35. “Without respect, for each other’s values and beliefs, relationships go for a toss.” – Unknown
36. “Sometimes to keep a relationship you need to compromise. You have to give up your self respect and pride… just because you don’t want to lose what you have… But a person who truly loves you will never let you do that… he will never let you compromise on your self esteem… No matter what circumstances are…” – Neena Gupta
37. “I respect people and expect that kind of respect back.” – Dennis Franz
38. “When you practice gratefulness, there is a sense of respect toward others.” – Dalai Lama
39. “We should all consider each other as human beings, and we should respect each other.” – Malala Yousafzai
40. “Love is a two-way street constantly under construction.” – Carroll Bryant
41. “Respect for ourselves guides our morals; respect for others guides our manners.” – Laurence Sterne
42. “No boundary off area surrounds the heart of a person that lost their self and others.” – Shannon L. Alder
43. “In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit’’ – Albert Schweitzer
44. “It is not a lack of love, but a lack of friendship that makes unhappy marriages.” — Friedrich Nietzsche
45. “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
46. “Respect is one of life’s greatest treasures. I mean, what does it all add up to if you don’t have that?” – Marilyn Monroe
47. “I guess at the end of the day, all women like to be appreciated and treated with respect and kindness.” – Sofia Vergara
48. “If you value a relationship, nurture it with respect and kindness.” – Unknown
49. “Treat everyone with respect and kindness. Period. No exceptions.” – Kiana Tom
50. “Respect is for those who deserve not for those who demand it.” – Paulo Coelho
51. “Respect is appreciation of the separateness of the other person, of the ways in which he or she is unique.” – Annie Gottlieb
52. “Respecting someone indicate the quality of your personality.” – Mohammad Rishad Sakhi
53. “Love can bring two people together. But it is only respect that will keep two souls together.” – Unknown
54. “I’m not concerned with your liking or disliking me. All I ask is that you respect me as a human being.” – Jackie Robinson
55. “I will try not to convince you to love me, to respect me, to commit to me. I deserve better than that; I am better than that… Goodbye.” – Steve Maraboli
56. “I believe that working with good people matters because then the work environment is good. If there is a sense of respect and belief among the people you work with, that is when good work is done.”– Ranbir Kapoor
57. “Respect for the truth comes close to being the basis for all morality.” – Frank Herbert
58. “If you really love your partner, learn to respect them first.”– Unknown
59. “To love yourself, truly love yourself, is to finally discover the essence of personal courage, self-respect, integrity, and self-esteem. These are the qualities of grace that come directly from a soul with stamina.” – Caroline Myss
60. “Respecting another human being isn’t easy. Sooner or later, they’ll let you know if you really value them.” – Unknown
61. ”Respect your partner’s feelings even if you disagree with them, it shows how much the relationship means to you.” – Unknown
62. “If you are not being treated with respect, don’t be a doormat.”– Robert Rain
63. “Every human being, of whatever origin, of whatever station, deserves respect. We must each respect others even as we respect ourselves.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
64. “Treat people the way you want to be treated. Talk to people the way you want to be talked to. Respect is earned, not given.” – Hussein Nishah
65. “There are lots of people I admire and respect, but I don’t necessarily want to be like them. I’m too happy being myself.” – James D’arcy

66. “Be kind, don’t judge, and have respect for others. If we can all do this, the world would be a better place. The point is to teach this to the next generation.” – Jasmine Guinness
67. “Love is the foundation, while respect is the framework that allows a relationship to stand strong and long.” – Unknown
68. “Self-respect is the cornerstone of all virtue.” – John Herschell
69. “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
70. “If you can’t Respect her, you don’t Deserve Her!” – Udayveer Singh
71. “Without love, there is no relationship. Without respect, there’s no reason to stay in it.” – Unknown
72. “Always remember the golden rule, respect yourself and do not allow other people to use you or take advantage of your weakness.” – RD King
73. “Once you figure out what respect tastes like, it tastes better than attention. But you have to get there.” – Pink
74. “The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other’s life.” – Richard Bach
75. “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
76. “If you truly want to be respected by people you love, you must prove to them that you can survive without them.” ― Michael Bassey Johnson

Love And Respect Quotes

Be grateful for your partner and shower them with appreciation and acknowledgment for even the small things they did for you. Show your admiration through thoughts, words, and deeds.

77. “Most good relationships are built on mutual trust and respect.” – Mona Sutphen
78. “Little people are indifferent. Superior people are caring.” – Maxime Lagacé
79. Be Helpful When you see a person without a smile, Give them yours. –Zig Ziglar
80. “Respect is the compass that always guides you to love’s true destination.” – Unknown
81. “Respect is a two-way street, if you want to get it, you’ve got to give it.” – R.G. Risch
82. “Respect commands itself and it can neither be given nor withheld when it is due.” – Eldridge Cleaver
83. “If we can respect the divine within us, if we can treat it with dignity, then we can respect others around us.” –Vishwas Chavan
84. “Respect was invented to cover the empty place where love should be.” – Leo Tolstoy
85. “The easiest way to open a closed door is with kindness and respect.” – Manuel Corazzari
86. ”It takes time to earn respect, but once you’ve got it, it’s yours forever.” – Unknown
87. ”Never waste your feelings on people who don’t value them.” – Unknown
88. ”Never above you. Never below you. Always beside you. Is the way to build relationship!”– Unknown
89. “If we lose love and self-respect for each other, this is how we finally die.” – Maya Angelou
90. “I firmly believe that respect is a lot more important, and a lot greater, than popularity.” – Julius Erving
91. “I would rather be alone with dignity than in a relationship that requires me to sacrifice my self respect.” – Mandy Hale
92. “Respect is not something you inherit, it is something you earn every day.”– Unknown
93. “To get down to the quick of it, respect motivates me – not success.” – Hugh Jackman
94. “I cannot conceive of a greater loss than the loss of one’s self-respect.” – Mahatma Gandhi
95. “We must express ourselves in ways that demonstrate our respect for others.” – Stephen Carter

96. “The key is to learn to respect and honor the complications of other people’s lives.” – Goldie Hawn
97. “If you are confident that something brings you joy, keep it, regardless of what anyone else might say. Even if it isn’t perfect, no matter how mundane it might be, when you use it with care and respect, you transform it into something priceless.” – Marie Kondo
98. “Love is what creates a beautiful relationship, but respect makes it last.” – Unknown
99. “It takes no compromising to give people their rights. It takes no money to respect the individual. It takes no survey to remove repressions.” – Harvey Milk
100. “In finding love, I think it’s important to be patient. In being in a relationship, I think it’s important to be honest, to communicate, to respect and trust, and to strive to give more than you take.” – Kina Grannis
101. ”Respect yourself enough to demand more from yourself than you would from anyone else.’’ – Unknown
102. “Respect is the foundation of a caring and loving home.” – Unknown
103. “When we show our respect for other living things, they respond with respect for us.” – Arapaho proverb
104. “The truest form of love is how you behave toward someone, not how you feel about them.” ― Steve Hall
105. “A great relationship is about two things: First, appreciating the similarities, and second, respecting the differences.”- Anonymous
106. “Don’t be that egocentric narcissist who is so focused on his goals that forget that other are, too, people.” – Maxime Lagacé
107. “Respect requires empathy, the capacity to anticipate and understand the feelings of others. It requires consideration.” – Deborah Norville
108. “The more you know and respect yourself, the more impact you will have on people around you.” – Maxime Lagacé
109. “There may be days when you’re not getting enough love from your partner. But even on those days, you deserve respect.” – Unknown
110. “Love is honesty. Love is a mutual respect for one another.” – Simone Elkeles
111. “Respect other people’s feelings. It might mean nothing to you, but it could mean everything to them.” – Roy T. Bennett
112. “There is overwhelming evidence that the higher the level of self-esteem, the more likely one will be to treat others with respect, kindness, and generosity.” – Nathaniel Branden
113. “Never judge someone by the way he looks or a book by the way it’s covered; for inside those tattered pages, there’s a lot to be discovered.” – Stephen Cosgrove

114. “A loving relationship is one in which the loved one is free to be himself – to laugh with me, but never at me; to cry with me, but never because of me; to love life, to love himself, to love being loved. Such a relationship is based upon freedom and can never grow in a jealous heart.” – Leo Buscaglia
115. “I have great respect for the past. If you don’t know where you’ve come from, you don’t know where you’re going.”– Maya Angelou
116. “Psychologists tell us that your level of self-esteem – how much you like and respect yourself – is the key measure of how happy you are in any area of your life.”– Brian Tracy
117. “It’s very dramatic when two people come together to work something out[…], what is really exciting to me is to see people with differing views come together and finally respect each other.”– Fred Rogers
118. “Consistency is a key element, without which a leader is incapable of getting respect, success or even developing confidence in others.” – Daniel Transon
119. “The respect you show to others (or lack thereof) is an immediate reflection on your self respect.”― Alex Elle
120. “If we can respect the divine within us, if we can treat it with dignity, then we can respect others around us.” –Vishwas Chavan
121. “If you have some respect for people as they are, you can be more effective in helping them to become better than they are.” – John W. Gardner
122. “Respect for the fragility and importance of an individual life is still the mark of an educated man.” – Norman Cousins
123. “Respect yourself and others will respect you.”– Confucius
124. “The art of conversation is the art of hearing as well as of being heard.”– William Hazlitt
125. “A person that does not value your time will not value your advice.”– Orrin Woodward
126. “We don’t need to share the same opinions as others, but we need to be respectful.” – Taylor Swift
127. We all require and want respect, man or woman, black or white.” – Aretha Franklin
128. “If you treat people right they will treat you right… ninety percent of the time.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt
129. “Surround yourself with people who respect and treat you well.” – Claudia Black
130. “The secret of a happy life is respect. Respect for yourself and respect for others.” – Ayad Akhtar
131. “Never respect men merely for their riches, but rather for their philanthropy; we do not value the sun for its height, but for its use.” – Gamaliel Bailey
132. “You won’t get anywhere in life by giving up on yourself and allowing others to walk over you.” – Unknown
133. “Respect toward others can’t be imposed. It’s a blessing or learning the hard way.” – Toba Beta
134. “In a relationship, love acts as a fuel, while respect is the engine that keeps it going smoothly.” – Unknown
135. “I have a respect for manners as such, they are a way of dealing with people you don’t agree with or like.”– Margaret Mead
136. “If she does not respect you, she will replace you.” – Habeeb Akande
137. “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
138. “There is no obligation for you to like me all the time. But I have the right not be disrespected at any time.”– Unknown
139. ”Real love is not based on romance, candlelight dinner. It is based on respect, care, concern, and trust!’’ – Unknown
140. “Never pay attention to someone who has not earned your respect.” – Habeeb Akande
141. “Responsibility and respect of others and their religious beliefs are also part of freedom.” – Horst Koehler
142. “Love is not about possession. Love is about appreciation.” -Osho
143. “By showing your children that you acknowledge their ideas, views, and decisions, you are being a good example of respect.” – Bethany Bridges
144. “He who loves others is constantly loved by them. He who respects others is constantly respected by them.” – Mencius
145. “Respect is appreciation of the separateness of the other person, of the ways in which he or she is unique.” – Annie Gottlieb
146. “Respect depends on reciprocity.” – Nyang Proverb
147. “Humility and respect tells much more about your background than your personality.” – Kate Iroegbu

148. “Perhaps the surest test of an individual’s integrity is his refusal to do or say anything that would damage his self-respect.” – Thomas S. Monson
149. “Respect, trust, communication, and understanding are most important for a relationship to survive.” – Unknown
150. “What we make testifies who we are. People can sense care and can sense carelessness. This relates to respect for each other and carelessness is personally offensive.” – Jonathan Ive
151. “Respect people who trust you. It takes a lot for people to trust you, so treat their trust like precious porcelain.” – Brandon Cox
152. “Society as a whole benefits immeasurably from a climate in which all persons, regardless of race or gender, may have the opportunity to earn respect, responsibility, advancement and remuneration based on ability.” – Sandra Day O’Connor
153. “Be a warrior when it comes to delivering on your ambitions. And a saint when it comes to treating people with respect, modeling generosity, and showing up with outright love.” — Robin S. Sharma
154. “Love is a decision to trust, to respect your partner, to place total confidence in them, to move forward without knowing the future.” — Unknown

When To Use Respect In Relationship Quotes

Respect in relationship quotes can serve as thoughtful reminders of a long relationship full of ups and downs. Here are some times you can use these quotes.

1. Apologies: There could be instances when you say something hurtful or acrid during an argument. A quote about respect in a relationship can help you amend the situation and apologize for what you said. These quotes can remind both of you to remain respectful even while disagreeing with each other.
2. Special occasions: When celebrating a milestone, you can celebrate your respect for each other with these quotes. After all, every relationship is built on trust and respect.
3. Wedding vows: Many couples like to take their wedding vows every year. These times are great for sending these quotes as they remind you of the respect and dignity you offer each other.
4. Social media: If you are active on social media, you can post these quotes regularly. Not only do they show love and respect for each other, but they also influence others to be respectful in their relationships.
5. Appreciation: A sweet quote with a simple “thank you” can go a long way in reinforcing your relationship. If your beloved does many small things to make your life wonderful, drop them a quote about love to show you notice and appreciate what they do for you.

Illustration: Quotes About Respect In Relationships And Love

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team

Infographic: Actions That Indicate Respect In A Relationship

Showing respect to your partner does not only have to be through your words. You can show them that you deeply respect them even with simple actions in your day-to-day life, and we are sure they will appreciate it very much. To help you learn about how you can show them respect in your daily life, give the following infographic a read and save it for later.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Respect everyone, no matter who they are. It’s an important lesson to learn and remember. Let’s explore some motivational quotes about respect!

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Vinita AgrawalPoet

Vinita Agrawal is an accomplished poet hailing from Indore, India. She has garnered significant recognition for her poetic endeavors, including winning the prestigious Proverse prize in Hong Kong in 2021 for her collection of poems titled "Twilight Language.

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Siddharth KesirajuMA, Certification in Relationship Coaching

Siddharth holds a certification in Relationship Coaching and a masters degree in communication and journalism from the University of Hyderabad. He has around seven years of experience in various fields of writing and editing.

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Shikha ThakurMBA

Shikha is a writer-turned-editor at MomJunction, with over seven years of experience in the field of content. Having done a certification in Relationship Coaching, her core interest lies in writing articles that guide couples through their courtship to marriage and parenthood.

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Reshmi DasMSc

Reshmi Das has over four years of experience as a clinical coordinator, medical content writer and medical conference coordinator. Her continuous interest in medical journals and writing makes her write well-researched articles for MomJunction.

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