"If guys don't respect themselves, they don't respect other people. That's times and personalities. And all of them are not that way. But it don't take but one or two to screw up the whole crowd"

In this quote, Richard Petty is highlighting the value of pride and how it connects to appreciating others. He suggests that people who do not have pride are more likely to disrespect others. Nevertheless, he also acknowledges that not everybody falls into this category and that there are exceptions. Petty likewise highlights the impact that simply a couple of people can have on a bigger group. This might be translated as an alerting to be conscious of our own actions and how they can affect those around us. Overall, Petty's words function as a suggestion to worth and preserve pride in order to foster respect for others.