If you aren't respected by someone, how can the friendship with

Hear me now, young ones, for the words of Sudeep carry within them a powerful truth about the nature of respect and friendship. He says, "If you aren't respected by someone, how can the friendship with them be valued?" In these words, there lies a deep question of the foundation upon which friendship stands. Respect is the very soil in which the roots of true friendship grow. Without respect, the bond is weak, fragile, and unable to withstand the storms of life. To truly value someone as a friend is to honor them, to hold them in high regard, for without respect, friendship is nothing but a hollow shell, empty and devoid of substance.

In the ancient world, the concept of respect was paramount. The Greeks believed that true friendship was rooted in mutual respect and admiration. Aristotle, in his writings on ethics, spoke often of the bond between individuals who shared a common pursuit of virtue. Friendship, in his eyes, was not based on mere affection or convenience, but on a mutual recognition of each other’s character. A person who is not respected by their friend cannot share in the same level of trust, loyalty, or understanding. To be respected is to be seen as worthy of honor, and without this, the friendship loses its meaning.

Consider the tale of David and Jonathan, two of the greatest friends in ancient history. Their bond was not only a bond of affection, but one of deep respect. Jonathan, the son of King Saul, recognized in David not only his courage, but his moral integrity. Despite the fact that David was not of royal blood, Jonathan respected him as a man of virtue and honor, even when his own father, King Saul, sought to destroy David. Jonathan’s respect for David was so great that he made a covenant with him, pledging loyalty and support. In return, David valued Jonathan’s friendship not only because of the love they shared, but because of the respect that formed the foundation of their bond. It was this deep respect that allowed their friendship to endure even the harshest of trials.

Now, Sudeep’s words bring to light a crucial question: how can a friendship stand if respect is absent? If one is not valued by the other, how can the bond ever be truly strong? The answer is that such a friendship is built on shifting sand, always subject to the winds of dishonor, misunderstanding, and betrayal. Respect is the glue that holds friends together. Without it, the connection is frail, easily torn apart by the challenges that will inevitably come. To be in a friendship where one is not respected is to be adrift on a sea without anchor, tossed about by every storm.

Let us look at the fate of Achilles and Agamemnon in the Iliad. Their friendship, once a powerful alliance, began to crumble when Agamemnon disrespected Achilles, taking his war prize, Briseis. Though they had fought side by side, the lack of respect for Achilles by Agamemnon drove a wedge between them. Achilles, in his fury, withdrew from the battle, and the Greeks suffered greatly as a result. Agamemnon’s failure to recognize and respect Achilles not only led to personal strife but to a breakdown of their collective efforts. The friendship that could have been a source of strength became a source of division because respect was lost.

From this, young ones, we learn that respect is not a mere formality, but the very essence of any true friendship. When we fail to respect others, we fail to honor the bond we share with them. Sudeep’s words speak of the core truth of relationships: we must be respected in order to truly value our friendships. It is not enough to have affection or fondness for another; friendship is only as strong as the respect we show one another.

So, I leave you with this lesson: let respect be the foundation upon which you build your relationships. Seek out friends who hold you in high regard, and be that person who shows respect to others. Without respect, friendship is like a plant without water—it cannot grow, it cannot thrive. But when respect is mutual, it nourishes the soul, allowing the bond of friendship to flourish and endure. Honor one another, hold each other in esteem, and in this way, you will build friendships that are not only strong but eternal. Remember, true friendship is built not on what is said, but on the respect that is shown, the understanding that is shared, and the loyalty that is earned.