Respect vs Approval

[threadwalker]

There is a difference between having someone's respect and having someone's approval. You can even respect someone without approving them; I respect the skills of many immoral people without approving their application (the Moriarties of the world).. I like respect and I like it better when it's mutual.

Approval? I'm not sure I really worry about approval anymore. I think that having approval was more important to me when I was young(er).

It's an interesting progression. I suspect it's linked to if you have enough life experiences that require you to examine your motivations and values, challenge your self-esteem and prompt you to question the validity of the people who you admire.

I'm curious to what others think. Was there a time when approval was more important? Why did it change?
Or, if approval is still plays a role in your life, how does it enrich you? What do you learn about yourself through the approval of others?

How about respect? Same questions.

Comments

[dame-cordelia.livejournal.com]

Approval was important when I was younger, not so much now. For me, approval relates to another's opinion of my actions.

Respect is more important now, and for me relates to another's opinion of my character.

I must think on this some more.