"I deserve respect for the things I did not do"

This quote by Dan Quayle speaks with the concept of respect being made, not given. It suggests that respect should be given to someone for the things they did refrain from doing, such as not participating in unfavorable or harmful activities. This might be translated as a call for people to be evaluated on their character and not their actions. It might also be analyzed as a pointer to people to believe before they act, as their actions can have a long lasting influence on their credibility and how they are seen by others. Respect is something that is earned, and this quote is a reminder that even if someone does not do something, they can still be appreciated for it.