“ The best way to earn respect is to give more than you think you deserve. Also, try not to confuse respect with other things.”
I don’t buy this, because if someone puts you on a lower level in their mind for superficial reasons ie. you’re too old to be their friend, or if you’re not physically fit enough, etc, giving more than you think you deserve will appear to be desperation. So, not buying it, sorry.

Also one the guys below says being “a slob” is about self-respect. No, maybe for HIM it is, but for many, it isn’t. For me, it’s ADHD. If I have bandwidth to meditate enough that week, my place gets cleaner because I can focus. If not I probably won’t get to making all my things neat. I respect myself pretty well, thanks.