There is a thin line between ego and self-respect, and we often misunderstand these two when dealing with different situations. Many times, we mistake ego for self-respect; we feel hurt when something is said, react strongly to a casual remark or joke, and as a result, our relationships with others suffer. This happens to almost everyone, except for a few who have developed self-awareness. It’s not easy to distinguish between the two quickly; it takes time and experience to understand, so making mistakes in such cases is natural.
We need to be clearly aware of what ego and self-respect truly are, and understand the difference between them. Only through knowledge and constant practice can we master this distinction.
Ego is a sense of self-worth, not inherently a bad thing, but when it becomes excessive, it turns into arrogance and a feeling of superiority over others. You may have noticed that some people refuse to accept their mistakes, are reluctant to consider other opinions, are difficult to reason with, and feel offended even by casual or playful remarks. Such people tend to be self-centered, giving themselves undue importance and showing little concern for others.
Self-respect, on the other hand, means valuing oneself while also respecting others. It is a positive quality that reflects confidence and healthy self-esteem. A person with self-respect takes things positively, feels content with who they are, accepts both the good and the bad in life, and learns from every experience.
Let’s understand this with an example: if you often feel hurt or offended by normal remarks, it may be a sign of ego. However, if you are being insulted or treated disrespectfully, if others are looking down on you then standing up for yourself and responding firmly is an expression of self-respect.