---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A youth is to be regarded with respect…"
description: "\"A youth is to be regarded with respect. How do we know that his future will not be equal to our present?\" — Confucius"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39d/confucius-164_equal_a-youth-is-to-be-regarded-with-respect-h_2315104.jpg"
---

#  A youth is to be regarded with respect. How do we know…

![“A youth is to be regarded with respect. How do we know that his future will not be equal to our present?” quote by Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39d/confucius-164_equal_a-youth-is-to-be-regarded-with-respect-h_2315104.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39d/confucius-164_equal_a-youth-is-to-be-regarded-with-respect-h_2315104.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39d/confucius-164_equal_a-youth-is-to-be-regarded-with-respect-h_2315104.jpg)

> “A youth is to be regarded with respect. How do we know that his future will not be equal to our present?”

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Respect youth because their potential is unknown; we cannot assume their future will mirror our present.

**In simple terms:** Youth deserve respect despite uncertain futures.

Key Takeaway

Respect and guide young people.

Themes

respect potential uncertainty

Mood

thoughtful hopeful

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- education
- mentorship
- career counseling
- family guidance

Key Concepts

Confucianism future potential

Questions to Reflect On

- How can we support youth without imposing our expectations?
- What does respect look like in practice?

A Different Perspective

Assuming youth will repeat past mistakes can limit opportunities.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Equal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/equal/) [Equality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/equality/) [Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Regarded Respect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/regarded-respect-788178/) [Respect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respect/) [Respect Know](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respect-know-740722/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) [Youth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/youth/) [Youth Regarded](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/youth-regarded-788177/)

## Related quotes

> [A youth is to be regarded with respect. How do we know that his future will not be equal to our present? If he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/a-youth-is-to-be-regarded-with-respect-how-do-we-know-that-his-future-2/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [A youth is to be regarded with respect. How do you know that his future will not be equal to our present?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/a-youth-is-to-be-regarded-with-respect-how-do-you-know-that-his/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [A youth is to be regarded with respect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/a-youth-is-to-be-regarded-with-respect/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [That wealth and greatness are often regarded with the respect and admiration which are due only to wisdom and virtue; and that the contempt,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-smith/that-wealth-and-greatness-are-often-regarded-with-the-respect-and/)

[Adam Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-smith/)

> [Respect yourself enough to know you deserve the very best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/respect-yourself-enough-to-know-you-deserve-the-very-best/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [The people who know me, the people who see the passion I have for this game and the respect for it, they know that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vijay-singh/the-people-who-know-me-the-people-who-see-the-passion-i-have-for-this/)

[Vijay Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vijay-singh/)

> [Respect yourself enough to know you deserve the best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/respect-yourself-enough-to-know-you-deserve-the-best/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [A female that got self respect for herself is the one that know how to keep a man.. because they know how to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-mcneal/a-female-that-got-self-respect-for-herself-is-the-one-that-know-how/)

[Kevin Mcneal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-mcneal/)

> [“The voices you hear today are to remind you we have rights, and we are going to make sure you know what they are,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-g-duarte/the-voices-you-hear-today-are-to-remind-you-we-have-rights-and-we-are/)

[Jeffrey G. Duarte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-g-duarte/)

> [And I can fight only for something that I love, love only what I respect, and respect only what I at least know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-hitler/and-i-can-fight-only-for-something-that-i-love-love-only-what-i/)

[Adolf Hitler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-hitler/)

> [Sometimes you have to love yourself, respect yourself and know your worth first before loving somebody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sometimes-you-have-to-love-yourself-respect-yourself-and-know-your/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [You've got to respect me because you know I can shoot the three.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reggie-miller/you-ve-got-to-respect-me-because-you-know-i-can-shoot-the-three/)

[Reggie Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reggie-miller/)

> [“Do not instigate or treat any of your employees, working at your place, with contempt. Treat everyone with respect. You never know what benefit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/do-not-instigate-or-treat-any-of-your-employees-working-at-your-place/)

[Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/)

> [We are not all the same. If you care that much, if you're that invested in us as artists and the changes that we're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-murray/we-are-not-all-the-same-if-you-care-that-much-if-you-re-that-invested/)

[Ashleigh Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-murray/)

> [I'm happy with myself. I respect myself. And I know that no man, no jeans, no scale, and no booker is in control of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iskra-lawrence/i-m-happy-with-myself-i-respect-myself-and-i-know-that-no-man-no/)

[Iskra Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iskra-lawrence/)

## More by Confucius

> [Attack the evil that is within yourself, rather than attacking the evil that is in others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/attack-the-evil-that-is-within-yourself-rather-than-attacking-the/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [The superior man is distressed by his want (lack) of ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-superior-man-is-distressed-by-his-want-lack-of-ability/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [In ancient times, those who wished to illuminate the world with virtue first brought order to their nations. Wishing to order well their nations,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/in-ancient-times-those-who-wished-to-illuminate-the-world-with-virtue/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [Better than the one who knows what is right is the one who loves what is right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/better-than-the-one-who-knows-what-is-right-is-the-one-who-loves-what/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [Knowledge is merely brilliance in organization of ideas and not wisdom. The truly wise person goes beyond knowledge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/knowledge-is-merely-brilliance-in-organization-of-ideas-and-not/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [I live in a very small house, but my windows look out on a very large world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/i-live-in-a-very-small-house-but-my-windows-look-out-on-a-very-large/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [To rule a country of a thousand chariots, there must be reverent attention to business, and sincerity; economy in expenditure, and love for men;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/to-rule-a-country-of-a-thousand-chariots-there-must-be-reverent/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [The real fault is to have faults and not amend them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-real-fault-is-to-have-faults-and-not-amend-them/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [To know what you know and what you do not know, that is true knowledge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/to-know-what-you-know-and-what-you-do-not-know-that-is-true-knowledge/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [A picture is poem without words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/a-picture-is-poem-without-words/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [Heaven means to be one with God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/heaven-means-to-be-one-with-god/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [Does Heaven ever speak? The four seasons come and go, and all creatures thrive and grow. Does Heaven ever speak!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/does-heaven-ever-speak-the-four-seasons-come-and-go-and-all-creatures/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [To study and at times practice what one has learned, is this not a pleasure?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/to-study-and-at-times-practice-what-one-has-learned-is-this-not-a/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [Recompense injury with justice, and recompense kindness with kindness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/recompense-injury-with-justice-and-recompense-kindness-with-kindness/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

> [There is only one thing in life which never changes, and it is change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/there-is-only-one-thing-in-life-which-never-changes-and-it-is-change/)

[Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

[Explore all 1,019 Confucius quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/)

## More Equal quotes

> [For many, the call to be a Christian can seem demanding, even overwhelming. But we need not be afraid or feel inadequate. The Savior…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-d-hales/for-many-the-call-to-be-a-christian-can-seem-demanding-even/)

[Robert D. Hales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-d-hales/)

> [Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phillips-brooks/do-not-pray-for-tasks-equal-to-your-powers-pray-for-powers-equal-to/)

[Phillips Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phillips-brooks/)

> [I do conscientiously and sincerely believe that the Order of Freemasonry, if not the greatest, is one of the greatest moral and political evils…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-quincy-adams/i-do-conscientiously-and-sincerely-believe-that-the-order-of/)

[John Quincy Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-quincy-adams/)

> [This, at last, was where things were as they ought to be. Everything was in its place -- the tree, the earth underneath, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-liedloff/this-at-last-was-where-things-were-as-they-ought-to-be-everything-was/)

[Jean Liedloff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-liedloff/)

> [Islam never differentiates between men and women as regards political rights and puts them on an equal footing. However, even if a woman is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yusuf-al-qaradawi/islam-never-differentiates-between-men-and-women-as-regards-political/)

[Yusuf al-Qaradawi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yusuf-al-qaradawi/)

> [This brings me back to the image of Kafka standing before a fish in the Berlin aquarium, a fish on which his gaze fell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-safran-foer/this-brings-me-back-to-the-image-of-kafka-standing-before-a-fish-in/)

[Jonathan Safran Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-safran-foer/)

> [Friendship, "the wine of life," should, like a well-stocked cellar, be continually renewed; and it is consolatory to think, that although we can seldom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-boswell/friendship-the-wine-of-life-should-like-a-well-stocked-cellar-be/)

[James Boswell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-boswell/)

> [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/)

[Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/)

> [Only to have a grief equal to all these tears!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrienne-rich/only-to-have-a-grief-equal-to-all-these-tears/)

[Adrienne Rich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrienne-rich/)

> [My mom and dad had the relationship that I want, and they were teammates. They were always equal 50/50.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/becca-kufrin/my-mom-and-dad-had-the-relationship-that-i-want-and-they-were/)

[Becca Kufrin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/becca-kufrin/)

> [Faith and unfaith can ne'er be equal powers; Unfaith is aught is want of faith in all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/faith-and-unfaith-can-ne-er-be-equal-powers-unfaith-is-aught-is-want/)

[Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/)

> [If it is true that there is always more than one way of construing a text, it is not true that all interpretations are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ricoeur/if-it-is-true-that-there-is-always-more-than-one-way-of-construing-a/)

[Paul Ricoeur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ricoeur/)

> [There is usually no dreamer so unworldly as the anthologist. He wanders in a vast garden, lost in wonder, unable to decide often between…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-webb/there-is-usually-no-dreamer-so-unworldly-as-the-anthologist-he/)

[Mary Webb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-webb/)

> [I can tell you this. It is not going to be evenly constituted and when she was Speaker Pelosi, she certainly showed no interests…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trey-gowdy/i-can-tell-you-this-it-is-not-going-to-be-evenly-constituted-and-when/)

[Trey Gowdy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trey-gowdy/)

> [It concerns me when people frame the conversation about equal pay about the entertainment business. I don't want the wage gap issue to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-arquette/it-concerns-me-when-people-frame-the-conversation-about-equal-pay/)

[Patricia Arquette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-arquette/)

[Browse all 4,126 Equal quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/equal/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "A youth is to be regarded with respect. How do we know that his future will not be equal to our present?",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Confucius"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/a-youth-is-to-be-regarded-with-respect-how-do-we-know-that-his-future/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Equal"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/a-youth-is-to-be-regarded-with-respect-how-do-we-know-that-his-future/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39d/confucius-164_equal_a-youth-is-to-be-regarded-with-respect-h_2315104.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39d/confucius-164_equal_a-youth-is-to-be-regarded-with-respect-h_2315104.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39d/confucius-164_equal_a-youth-is-to-be-regarded-with-respect-h_2315104.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“A youth is to be regarded with respect. How do we know that his future will not be equal to our present?” — Confucius",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Confucius",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "A youth is to be regarded...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/a-youth-is-to-be-regarded-with-respect-how-do-we-know-that-his-future/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/a-youth-is-to-be-regarded-with-respect-how-do-we-know-that-his-future/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
