There are many who argue that Self-respect is Shanti. But, they confuse Self-respect with the respect given to the inferior vehicle, the body, or to one’s status. That is respect to the person, not respect to the Self, or Atma. The respect given to the Lord within, the Atma that is real Self-respect, not anything else. (P.Vah, p. 43)

The rind of bitterness of sorrow covers the sweet juice of joy in the orange fruit of life. When you peel out the rind, you get the sweet juice. God is the very essence of joy – Raso Vai Saha.

When Lincoln was young, he led a poor life. He could not afford even proper clothes. His affluent friends in school teased and ridiculed him over his poverty. One day, unable to bear the ridicule, he poured out his heart to his mother and explained to her how he was being insulted and humiliated. His mother consoled him saying, ‘My dear son, all this will do you good. This should not deter you from developing self-respect. Self-respect is your treasure and God!’ These words of entertainment inspired Lincoln and gave him strength to face the ups and downs of life with equanimity. After he passed out of the University, his admirers and well-wishers who had recognized the strength of his character enthused him to contest the elections. Lincoln, being a man of great humility hesitated initially. But he remembered the words of encouragement tendered to him by his mother when he was young. Finally, he contested the elections, emerged victorious and became the President of America. Self-confidence and self-respect in him, developed by his mother, were responsible for his rise to the highest position of authority in the country.

A person without self-confidence, even if trust into exalted position, is bound to slip down. You should consider self-confidence as the most important asset in life. Without self-confidence you can never attain bliss. Therefore, try to develop self-confidence in order to lead a good life. (DD on 23.11.01, p. 3)

Courage comes out of the Grace of the Lord; it needs generations of learning and struggle. Meanwhile, you must start with the first step, the cleansing of the mind and the cultivation of virtue. Even if you do not start with that step, at least do not laugh at those who do, and discourage them. Do at least this much! Then, do not depend upon others for doing your work, like attending to your personal wants. Do them yourself; that is real freedom. Again, never accept anything free from others, pay it back, in service or work.

That will make you self-respecting individuals. Receiving a favour means getting bound to the giver. Grow with self-respect and dignity. That is the best service you can do to yourself. (SSS Vol.1)

Remember, that every one of you is living off the property of God, for does not all this belong to Him? And what do you do in return for all the benefits you derive from the properly of the Lord? You cannot eat it and sit quiet. You must at least give some physical labour in return; he who does not work but eats is indeed a cheat. Not that the Lord wants anything from you, but it will give self-respect and it will purify your heart. So teach children not to receive anything for nothing. Let them earn by hard work the things they seek. (SSS Vol.2)

Ask the Lord for the removal of your earthly troubles; there is no mistake in that. It is much better than asking other men, and losing self-respect and honour. (SSS Vol.4)

The ananda (bliss) that you derive when you are good and do good must be enough inspiration, enough reward. Resist all temptations to fall into vice; avoid treading wrong paths; keep away from evil company. This will confer on you self-respect; you will rise in your own estimation; you need not bend your head before any one. If you live like that, that life itself is the best prachara for Me. When falsehood and malice are raving mad, take it as a test of your viveka and of your kshama (forbearance). You must treasure your experience and ignore the vapourings of people who have not had similar chances or who are wilfully vile. Some worms have to bore through cloth; they make no distinction because their nature is to injure and damage. Silk or wool or cotton, cheap or dear, imitation or genuine, they cannot distinguish. They just damage, for the sheer mischievous pleasure they derive from the exercise of their faculty. Keep away from such; develop satsang (good company) and be happy like the fish which have water all around them. (SSS Vol. 6)

This is critical time for the people of India, when the self-confidence arising from self-knowledge is most necessary. Both men and women have to earn this knowledge and treasure it. Men should give up the attitude of putting down women. They are not servants to be 1orded over; they too have self-respect and individuality. In fact, women have devotion, sympathy, the spirit of sacrifice, fortitude and other virtues in greater measure than men. But yet, the feeling that if their advice is taken, it is somehow demeaning, is prevalent among men. This must be given up. Pay respect to spiritual excellence and intellectual discrimination, wherever it is evident.