Key Difference: Respect is a term that is used to show regard, esteem and/or admiration for someone. Honour, on the other hand, is a term that is used to show high respect and great esteem for someone or something. The main difference between the two is that honour is considered to be slightly higher than respect. Hence, not all those that are respected are honoured, but all that are honoured are respected.

The terms, ‘respect’ and ‘honour’ are often used together and are considered to be synonymous. While the words are used interchangeably in everyday language, the truth is that the terms in fact do differ from each other.

Respect is a term that is used to show regard, esteem and/or admiration for someone. Being respected means that the person’s opinion is valued and taken into consideration, and that the person is highly commendable and looked to. Other than a person, respect can also be given a nation, a religion, certain actions, behaviour, etc. However, respect is not only given but must be earned via behaviour, actions, etc.

Honour, on the other hand, is a term that is used to show high respect and great esteem for someone or something. A person who is honoured is considered with great regard, and is considered to have an impeccable character, a good reputation, and high moral standards of behaviour. Honour speaks of a person’s value and their social standing, as an honoured person is usually considered to be of great value to people, family, school, regiment or nation.

The main difference between the two is that honour is considered to be slightly higher than respect. When someone is honoured the chances are that the person was already respected, whereas it is not necessary that all people that are respect be honoured. For example: all the respected professors have gathered here today in order to honour Professor Smith.

It can be said that respect is a subjective perception of one person, for example, one may respect their parents, teachers, elders, etc. It is mainly subjective to one’s personal beliefs and principles, as one may not respect someone whose acts are against one’s personal beliefs and principles.

However, honour seems to be more on the basis of someone’s social status. Only a person that has a predetermined value of respect from certain members of society is given honour. For example: one may respect their parents, but their parents may not be honoured by others. Whereas, the family’s great grandmother may be honoured by the family, because she is respected by the whole family.

Hence, not all those that are respected are honoured, but all that are honoured are respected.

Comparison between Respect and Honour:

Image Courtesy: muslimommy.com, quotessays.com