Introduction
Respect is one of those quiet human values that appears in poetry through many different doors: dignity, kindness, self-respect, fairness, empathy, friendship, age, work, truth, and the way we treat people whose lives are different from our own. These poems about respect bring together classic voices that speak about honoring others, valuing character over status, and choosing gentle words instead of careless judgment.
This collection is written for readers searching for poems about respect with meaning, short poems about respect, respect poems for students, poems about respecting others, poems about self-respect and dignity, and poems about respect and kindness. If you enjoy carefully selected classic poetry, you can also explore Featured Poems for more reader-friendly poem collections.
Poetry & Analysis
Selected Poems About Respect
Inspirational PoemsA Man’s a Man for A’ That
Is there, for honest poverty,
That hangs his head, and a’ that?
The coward-slave, we pass him by,
We dare be poor for a’ that!
For a’ that, and a’ that,
Our toils obscure, and a’ that;
The rank is but the guinea stamp;
The man’s the gowd for a’ that.
What though on hamely fare we dine,
Wear hoddin-gray, and a’ that;
Gie fools their silks, and knaves their wine,
A man’s a man for a’ that.
For a’ that, and a’ that,
Their tinsel show, and a’ that;
The honest man, though e’er sae poor,
Is king o’ men for a’ that.
Ye see yon birkie, ca’d a lord,
Wha struts, and stares, and a’ that;
Though hundreds worship at his word,
He’s but a coof for a’ that.
For a’ that, and a’ that,
His riband, star, and a’ that;
The man of independent mind,
He looks and laughs at a’ that.
A prince can mak a belted knight,
A marquis, duke, and a’ that;
But an honest man’s aboon his might,
Guid faith, he maunna fa’ that!
For a’ that, and a’ that,
Their dignities, and a’ that;
The pith o’ sense, and pride o’ worth,
Are higher rank than a’ that.
Then let us pray that come it may,
As come it will for a’ that,
That sense and worth, o’er a’ the earth,
Shall bear the gree, and a’ that.
For a’ that, and a’ that,
It’s coming yet for a’ that,
That man to man, the world o’er,
Shall brothers be for a’ that.
Overview Short Summary
This poem argues that true respect should come from honesty, character, and human worth, not rank, money, or social display. Burns imagines a world where every person is valued as a human being.
Core Ideas Main Themes
- Human dignity: The poem rejects shallow class-based respect and honors the worth of ordinary people.
- Equality: Burns looks forward to a world where people treat one another like brothers.
- Self-respect: The honest person keeps dignity even without wealth or title.
Emotional Effect Tone and Mood
The tone is proud, hopeful, and democratic. The mood encourages readers to respect people for character rather than status.
Craft Literary Devices
- Repetition: The repeated phrase “for a’ that” strengthens the poem’s challenge to social pride.
- Contrast: Burns contrasts rank and wealth with honesty and inner worth.
- Symbolism: The “guinea stamp” symbolizes external status, while “gowd” represents real human value.
Nobility
True worth is in being, not seeming,—
In doing, each day that goes by,
Some little good—not in dreaming
Of great things to do by and by.
For whatever men say in their blindness,
And spite of the fancies of youth,
There’s nothing so kingly as kindness,
And nothing so royal as truth.
We get back our mete as we measure—
We cannot do wrong and feel right,
Nor can we give pain and gain pleasure,
For justice avenges each slight.
The air for the wing of the sparrow,
The bush for the robin and wren,
But always the path that is narrow
And straight, for the children of men.
‘Tis not in the pages of story
The heart of its ills to beguile,
Though he who makes courtship to glory
Gives all that he hath for her smile.
For when from her heights he has won her,
Alas! it is only to prove
That nothing’s so sacred as honor,
And nothing so loyal as love!
We cannot make bargains for blisses,
Nor catch them like fishes in nets;
And sometimes the thing our life misses
Helps more than the thing which it gets.
For good lieth not in pursuing,
Nor gaining of great nor of small,
But just in the doing, and doing
As we would be done by, is all.
Through envy, through malice, through hating,
Against the world, early and late,
No jot of our courage abating—
Our part is to work and to wait.
And slight is the sting of his trouble
Whose winnings are less than his worth;
For he who is honest is noble,
Whatever his fortunes or birth.
Overview Short Summary
“Nobility” explains that real respect is earned through kindness, truth, honor, love, and honest living. Cary rejects empty appearances and defines noble character through daily action.
Core Ideas Main Themes
- Respect and kindness: The poem directly links greatness with kind behavior.
- Truth and honor: Cary presents moral truth as more valuable than social reputation.
- Self-respect: The honest person remains noble regardless of fortune or birth.
Significance Why This Poem Matters
This is one of the best classic poems about respect for students because its message is direct: dignity comes from what we do, not what we pretend to be.
Abou Ben Adhem
Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight in his room,
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,
An angel writing in a book of gold:—
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,
And to the presence in the room he said,
“What writest thou?”—The vision raised its head,
And with a look made of all sweet accord,
Answered, “The names of those who love the Lord.”
“And is mine one?” said Abou. “Nay, not so,”
Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low,
But cheerly still; and said, “I pray thee, then,
Write me as one that loves his fellow-men.”
The angel wrote, and vanished. The next night
It came again with a great wakening light,
And showed the names whom love of God had blessed,
And lo! Ben Adhem’s name led all the rest.
Overview Short Summary
Abou Ben Adhem asks to be remembered as someone who loves his fellow human beings. The poem suggests that respect for people is one of the purest forms of spiritual love.
Core Ideas Main Themes
- Respecting others: The speaker’s love for people becomes his highest virtue.
- Humility: Abou does not boast; he simply asks to be known as one who loves others.
- Compassion: The poem links devotion with kindness toward fellow human beings.
Emotional Effect Tone and Mood
The tone is gentle, peaceful, and reverent. The mood leaves the reader with warmth and moral clarity.
The Noble Nature
It is not growing like a tree
In bulk doth make man better be;
Or standing long an oak, three hundred year,
To fall a log at last, dry, bald, and sere:
A lily of a day
Is fairer far in May,
Although it fall and die that night,—
It was the plant and flower of light.
In small proportions we just beauties see;
And in short measures life may perfect be.
Overview Short Summary
Jonson argues that size, age, or outward greatness do not make a person better. True respect belongs to quality, beauty, and moral excellence, even when they appear in small forms.
Core Ideas Main Themes
- True worth: The poem values inner quality over outward size or status.
- Dignity: Even a short life or small act can be complete and meaningful.
- Respect beyond appearance: The lily and oak contrast teaches readers not to judge value by scale alone.
Speak Gently
Speak gently!—It is better far
To rule by love than fear;
Speak gently—let not harsh words mar
The good we might do here!
Speak gently!—Love doth whisper low
The vows that true hearts bind;
And gently Friendship’s accents flow;
Affection’s voice is kind.
Speak gently to the little child!
Its love be sure to gain;
Teach it in accents soft and mild;
It may not long remain.
Speak gently to the young, for they
Will have enough to bear—
Pass through this life as best they may,
‘Tis full of anxious care!
Speak gently to the aged one,
Grieve not the care-worn heart;
The sands of life are nearly run,
Let such in peace depart!
Speak gently, kindly, to the poor;
Let no harsh tone be heard;
They have enough they must endure,
Without an unkind word!
Speak gently to the erring—know,
They may have toiled in vain;
Perchance unkindness made them so;
Oh, win them back again!
Speak gently!—He who gave his life
To bend man’s stubborn will,
When elements were in fierce strife,
Said to them, “Peace, be still.”
Speak gently!—’tis a little thing
Dropped in the heart’s deep well;
The good, the joy, that it may bring,
Eternity shall tell.
Overview Short Summary
This poem teaches that respect begins with speech. Gentle words toward children, the young, the aged, the poor, and those who have made mistakes can protect dignity and heal pain.
Core Ideas Main Themes
- Respect and manners: The poem makes gentle speech a moral responsibility.
- Respect for elders: Bates asks readers to avoid hurting the aged and care-worn.
- Compassion instead of harshness: The poem urges kindness toward those who are poor or struggling.
Craft Literary Devices
- Repetition: “Speak gently” works like a refrain, reinforcing the central lesson.
- Direct address: The speaker instructs the reader in clear, memorable language.
- Metaphor: The heart’s “deep well” suggests that gentle words can have lasting emotional depth.
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