As I respect others, I want others to respect me.

The words of Varg Vikernes ring with the ancient symmetry of justice: “As I respect others, I want others to respect me.” Within this utterance lies the eternal balance upon which all human fellowship is built. For respect is not merely a courtesy, nor a fragile gesture of politeness. It is the foundation stone of peace, the invisible cord that binds one soul to another. He speaks a truth that has been echoed by sages of every age: that what we give is also what we seek, and what we deny to others we shall find denied to ourselves.

From the time of the ancients, this law of reciprocity has been honored as sacred. Among the Egyptians, the goddess Ma’at guarded the scales of truth, teaching that harmony in the world could only exist if men dealt justly with one another. Among the Greeks, the law of xenia—the sacred duty of respect toward guest and host alike—was held so high that even kings trembled when it was broken. And in every age since, humanity has known that to respect others is to sow a seed that will one day return as a harvest of dignity for oneself.

Consider the tale of Marcus Aurelius, the Roman emperor who bore the burdens of power in turbulent times. Though clothed in authority, he reminded himself daily in his Meditations to honor the souls of those around him. He understood that his rule would be hollow if it was not tempered by the recognition of others’ worth. His respect for soldiers, citizens, and even critics sustained his reign and gave him the legacy of a philosopher-king rather than a tyrant. His example shows us that the measure of one’s greatness lies not in how much fear they command, but in how much respect they extend and receive.

The words of Vikernes also reveal a hunger that dwells in every human heart: the desire to be seen, to be acknowledged, to be treated with dignity. Yet such desire cannot be demanded without offering the same in return. Respect is not seized by force; it is earned in the quiet acts of recognition and care we show to others. Just as one who gives water at the well may drink when thirsty, so too does one who gives respect find it returned in their hour of need.

But let us not be deceived into thinking respect is a thing lightly given. It requires humility, for to respect another is to admit that they, too, bear the light of worth. It requires patience, for others may not always mirror back the honor we extend. And it requires courage, for in a world rife with pride and division, the choice to respect even those unlike us is a radical act of strength. Yet this is the very path by which harmony is built.

And so, dear listener, the lesson is clear: if you seek respect, you must first embody it. Do not demand what you are unwilling to give. In your words, show reverence for truth. In your dealings, show care for fairness. In your judgments, show mercy, for as you measure others, so shall you be measured. This is no mere proverb but the deep law of human life, written not on parchment but in the fabric of existence itself.

Practical wisdom follows: greet even the lowliest with courtesy, for their dignity is no less than yours. Guard your tongue against scorn, for every word sown in contempt may one day return in bitterness. Show respect not only to people but also to their labors, their possessions, their beliefs, even when they differ from yours. In such practices, you weave a net of mutual honor that will hold you in times of strife.

Thus, in the words of Varg Vikernes, we are reminded that respect is both gift and shield. To offer it is to strengthen the bonds of fellowship; to withhold it is to invite discord. Carry this truth forward: give the honor you wish to receive, and walk among others not as a tyrant demanding reverence, but as a human being whose own dignity is magnified in the act of honoring others. In this balance, the ancient law is fulfilled, and peace is born.