Dignity meaning of word

This article is about dignity as a matter of philosophy, religion, human rights, law and medicine. For other uses, see Dignity (disambiguation).

Dignity is the right of a person to be valued and respected for their own sake, and to be treated ethically. It is of significance in morality, ethics, law and politics as an extension of the Enlightenment-era concepts of inherent, inalienable rights. The term may also be used to describe personal conduct, as in «behaving with dignity».

Etymology[edit]

The English word «dignity», attested from the early 13th century, comes from Latin dignitas (worthiness)^[1]
by way of French dignité.^[2]

Modern use[edit]

English-speakers often use the word «dignity» in proscriptive and cautionary ways: for example, in politics it can be used to critique the treatment of oppressed and vulnerable groups and peoples, but it has also been applied to cultures and sub-cultures, to religious beliefs and ideals, and even to animals used for food or research.

«Dignity» also has descriptive meanings pertaining to the worth of human beings. In general, the term has various functions and meanings depending on how the term is used and on the context.^[3]

In ordinary modern usage, the word denotes «respect» and «status», and it is often used to suggest that someone is not receiving a proper degree of respect, or even that they are failing to treat themselves with proper self-respect. There is also a long history of special philosophical use of this term. However, it is rarely defined outright in political, legal, and scientific discussions. International proclamations have thus far left dignity undefined,^[4][5]
and scientific commentators, such as those arguing against genetic research and algeny, cite dignity as a reason but are ambiguous about its application.^[6]

Violations[edit]

Categories[edit]

Human dignity can be violated in multiple ways. The main categories of violations are:^[7]

Humiliation

Violations of human dignity in terms of humiliation refer to acts that humiliate or diminish the self-worth of a person or a group. Acts of humiliation are context dependent but we normally have an intuitive understanding where such a violation occurs. As Schachter noted, “it has been generally assumed that a violation of human dignity can be recognized even if the abstract term cannot be defined. ‘I know it when I see it even if I cannot tell you what it is’”.^[8] More generally, etymology of the word “humiliation” has a universal characteristic in the sense that in all languages the word involves “downward spatial orientation” in which “something or someone is pushed down and forcefully held there”.^[9] This approach is common in judicial decisions where judges refer to violations of human dignity as injuries to people’s self-worth or their self-esteem.^[10]

Instrumentalization or objectification

This aspect refers to treating a person as an instrument or as means to achieve some other goal. This approach builds on Immanuel Kant’s moral imperative stipulating that we should treat people as ends or goals in themselves, namely as having ultimate moral worth which should not be instrumentalized.

Degradation

Violations of human dignity as degradation refer to acts that degrade the value of human beings. These are acts that, even if done by consent, convey a message that diminishes the importance or value of all human beings. They consist of practices and acts that modern society generally considers unacceptable for human beings, regardless of whether subjective humiliation is involved, such as selling oneself to slavery, or when a state authority deliberately puts prisoners in inhuman living conditions.

Dehumanization

These are acts that strip a person or a group of their human characteristics. It may involve describing or treating them as animals or as a lower type of human beings. This has occurred in genocides such as the Holocaust and in Rwanda where the minority were compared to insects.

Examples[edit]

Some of the practices that violate human dignity include torture, rape, social exclusion, labor exploitation, bonded labor, and slavery.^[7]

Both absolute and relative poverty are violations of human dignity, although they also have other significant dimensions, such as social injustice.^[7] Absolute poverty is associated with overt exploitation and connected to humiliation (for example, being forced to eat food from other people’s garbage), but being dependent upon others to stay alive is a violation of dignity even in the absence of more direct violations. Relative poverty, on the other hand, is a violation because the cumulative experience of not being able to afford the same clothes, entertainment, social events, education, or other features of typical life in that society results in subtle humiliation; social rejection; marginalization; and consequently, a diminished self-respect.

Another example of violation of human dignity, especially for women in developing countries, is lack of sanitation. Having no access to toilets leaves currently about 1 billion people of the world with no choice other than to defecation in the open, which has been declared by the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations as an affront to personal dignity.^[11] Human dignity is also violated by the practice of employing people in India for «manual scavenging» of human excreta from unsanitary toilets – usually by people of a lower caste, and more often by women than men.^[12] Female genital mutilation (FGM) has been considered by Pope Francis I to be an example of a practice that violates human dignity.^[13]

The movie The Magic Christian depicts a wealthy man (Peter Sellers) and his son (Ringo Starr) who test the limits of dignity by forcing people to perform self-degrading acts for money. The Simpsons episode «Homer vs. Dignity» has a similar plot.

Philosophical history[edit]

Pico della Mirandola[edit]

A philosopher of the Renaissance, Pico della Mirandola, granted dignity to ideas and to beings. In his «Oration on the Dignity of Man», he told hostile clerics about the dignity of the liberal arts and about the dignity and the glory of angels. His comments implied the dignity of philosophers.^[14] This oration is commonly seen as one of the central texts of the Renaissance, intimately tied with the growth of humanist philosophies.^[15][16]

Kant[edit]

A philosopher of the Age of Enlightenment (18th century), Immanuel Kant held that there were things that should not be discussed in terms of value, and that these things could be said to have dignity. ‘Value’ is necessarily relative, because the value of something depends on a particular observer’s judgment of that thing. Things that are not relative – that are «ends in themselves», in Kant’s terminology – are by extension beyond all value, and a thing is an end in itself only if it has a moral dimension; if it represents a choice between right and wrong. In Kant’s words: «Morality, and humanity as capable of it, is that which alone has dignity.»^[17] Specifically with respect to human dignity, which his writings brought from relative obscurity in Western philosophy into a focal point for philosophers, Kant held that «free will» is essential; human dignity is related to human agency, the ability of humans to choose their own actions.^[18]

Mortimer Adler and Alan Gewirth[edit]

Philosophers of the late 20th century who have written significant works on the subject of dignity include Mortimer Adler and Alan Gewirth.^[18] Gewirth’s views on human dignity are typically compared and contrasted with Kant’s, for like Kant he theorizes that human dignity arises from agency.^[19][20] But while sharing Kant’s view that rights arise from dignity, Gewirth focused far more than Kant on the positive obligations that dignity imposed on humans, the moral requirement not only to avoid harming but to actively assist one another in achieving and maintaining a state of «well-being».^[19]

Among other topics, including the dignity of labor,^[21] Adler extensively explored the question of human equality and equal right to dignity.^[22] According to Adler, the question of whether humans have equal right to dignity is intrinsically bound in the question of whether human beings are truly equal, which itself is bound in the question of whether human beings are a distinct class from all things, including animals, or vary from other things only by degree. Adler wrote that the only sense in which it is true that all human beings are equal is that they are equally distinct from animals.^[23] «The dignity of man,» he said, «is the dignity of the human being as a person—a dignity that is not possessed by things.»^[24] To Adler, failure to recognize the distinction challenged the right of humans to equal dignity and equal treatment.^[25][26]

Others[edit]

Dan Egonsson, followed by Roger Wertheimer, argued that while it is conventional for people to equate dignity with ‘being human’ (Egonsson’s ‘Standard Attitude’, Wertheimer’s ‘Standard Belief’), people generally also import something other than mere humanness to their idea of dignity.^[27][28] Egonsson suggested that an entity must be both human and alive to merit an ascription of dignity, while Wertheimer states «it is not a definitional truth that human beings have human status.»

According to Arthur Schopenhauer, dignity is opinion of others about our worth and subjective definition of dignity is our fear from this opinion of others.^[29]

More recently, Philippe-André Rodriguez has argued that human dignity is best understood as an essentially contested concept. As he argues, «it seems that it is this very nature of the concept that has allowed, on the one hand, human rights to receive such international acceptance as a theoretical enterprise and, on the other hand, has led the concept to be constantly challenged by different cultures worldwide.»^[30]

Religion[edit]

Human dignity is a central consideration of Christian philosophy^[18][31][32] The Catechism of the Catholic Church insists the «dignity of the human person is rooted in his or her creation in the image and likeness of God.» «All human beings,» says the Church, «in as much as they are created in the image of God, have the dignity of a person.» The catechism says, «The right to the exercise of freedom belongs to everyone because it is inseparable from his or her dignity as a human person.»^[33] The Catholic Church’s view of human dignity is like Kant’s insofar as it springs from human agency and free will,^[19] with the further understanding that free will in turn springs from human creation in the image of God.^[34]

Human dignity, or kevod ha-beriyot, is also a central consideration of Judaism.^[35] Talmud cautions against giving charity publicly rather than in private to avoid offending the dignity of the recipient.^[36] Medieval Jewish philosopher Maimonides in his codification of Halakha cautioned judges to preserve the self-respect of people who came before them: «Let not human dignity be light in his eyes; for the respect due to man supersedes a negative rabbinical command».^[36]

An Islamic view of dignity is crystallized in the Quran through the selected biographies of Noah, Abraham, Joseph, David, Moses, Mary, Jesus, Muhammed, and others (differing from the narratives in the Bible, which the Quran claims were corrupted). Individuals such as these are presented as role-models of dignity because they did not abandon their self-respect by bowing to social pressures. When faced with the fear of disapproval, poverty, hunger, death etc. these individuals held firm in their sense of right and wrong, which was in-line with Divine ordinances. «The right course is that on which one keeps his attitudes, ambitions and requirements subjected to the Divine Laws; and in this way leads a balanced and graceful life. Such a person has grasped the most trustworthy support which will never fail him» (Quran 31:22)^[37] Such individuals are given the title of Muhsineen, who faced immense pressures but held firm in their positive actions. God awarded these individuals with authority and status in the land, and this reward is open to anyone who proves themselves worthy: «We bestow such honour and position on all those who lead their lives according to Our Laws.» (Quran 37:80)^[38] Those who fall into this category are also afforded Divine protection from their mistakes: «Therefore We have saved you and your son from this. We have done so because We keep those who lead their lives according to Divine guidance safe from such mishaps.» (37:104–105)^[38] The Quranic State that Muhammad began in Medinah sought to protect human dignity, since in a Quranic Welfare State individuals are free to work and live without the pressures faced by the threat of poverty, and thus can obey God’s Laws as free individuals, contributing as part of a unified brotherhood working towards achieving humanity’s full potential. Elaborations on dignity have been made by many scholars of Islam, such as Mohammad-Ali Taskhiri, head of the Islamic Culture and Communications Organization in Iran, in 1994. According to Taskhiri, dignity is a state to which all humans have equal potential, but which can only be actualized by living a life pleasing to the eyes of God.^[39] This is in keeping with the 1990 Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam, which states that «True faith is the guarantee for enhancing such [basic human] dignity along the path to human perfection».^[40]

Ultimately, the Buddhist understanding of human dignity is rooted in the idea that we are able to choose the path of self-perfection…… This state of self-perfection—a condition of fully developed courage, wisdom and compassion—is described as Buddhahood or enlightenment. The idea that all people—all life, in fact—have this potential is expressed by the concept, stressed particularly in the Mahayana tradition, that all living beings possess Buddha nature.^[41]

United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights[edit]

1. All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
2. Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

   — Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Articles 1 and 2

Medicine[edit]

In the 20th century, dignity became an issue for physicians and medical researchers. It has been invoked in questions of the bioethics of human genetic engineering, human cloning, and end-of-life care (particularly in such situations as the Terri Schiavo case, a controversial situation in which life support was withdrawn from a woman diagnosed in a persistent vegetative state).^[42]

International bodies[edit]

In June 1964, the World Medical Association issued the Declaration of Helsinki. The Declaration says at article 11, «It is the duty of physicians who participate in medical research to protect the life, health, dignity, integrity, right to self-determination, privacy, and confidentiality of personal information of research subjects.»^[43]

The Council of Europe invoked dignity in its effort to govern the progress of biology and medicine. On 4 April 1997, the council, at Oviedo, approved the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Dignity of the Human Being with regard to the Application of Biology and Medicine. The convention’s preamble contains these statements, among others:

Conscious of the accelerating developments in biology and medicine;

Convinced of the need to respect the human being both as an individual and as a member of the human species and recognising the importance of ensuring the dignity of the human being;

Conscious that the misuse of biology and medicine may lead to acts endangering human dignity;

Resolving to take such measures as are necessary to safeguard human dignity and the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual with regard to the application of biology and medicine.

The Convention states, «Parties to this Convention shall protect the dignity and identity of all human beings and guarantee everyone, without discrimination, respect for their integrity and other rights and fundamental freedoms with regard to the application of biology and medicine.»

In 1998, the United Nations mentioned dignity in the UNESCO Declaration on the Human Genome and Human Rights. At Article 2, the declaration states, «Everyone has a right to respect for their dignity.» At Article 24, the declaration warns that treating a person to remove a genetic defect «could be contrary to human dignity.» The Commentary that accompanies the declaration says that, as a consequence of the possibility of germ-line treatment, «it is the very dignity of the human race which is at stake.»

Canada[edit]

In 1996, the Government of Canada issued a report entitled «New Reproductive and Genetic Technologies». The report used «the principles of respect for human life and dignity» as its reason for recommending that various activities associated with genetic research and human reproduction be prohibited. The report said the prohibited activities were «contrary to Canadian values of equality and respect for human life and dignity.»^[44]

Denmark[edit]

The Ministry of Health enacted the Danish Council Act 1988, which established the Danish Council of Ethics. The Council advises the Ministry on matters of medicine and genetic research on humans. In 2001, the Council condemned «reproductive cloning because it would violate human dignity, because it could have adverse consequences for the cloned person and because permitting research on reproductive cloning would reflect a disregard for the respect due to the moral status of embryos.»^[45]

France[edit]

In 1984, France set up the National Consultative Committee for Ethics in the Life and Health Sciences (CCNE) to advise the government about the regulation of medical practices and research. In 1986, the CCNE said, «Respect for human dignity must guide both the development of knowledge and the limits or
rules to be observed by research.» The CCNE said that research on human embryos must be subject to «the rule of reason» and must have regard for «undefined dignity in its practical consequences.»^[46] The CCNE insisted that, in research on human embryos, the ethical principles that should apply are «respecting human dignity» and respecting «the dignity of science.»^[46]

Portugal[edit]

The National Council of Ethics of Portugal published its Opinion on the Ethical Implications of Cloning in 1997. The opinion states, «the cloning of human beings, because of the problems it raises concerning the dignity of the human person, the equilibrium of the human species and life in society, is ethically unacceptable and must be prohibited.»^[47]

Sweden[edit]

Sweden’s The Genetic Integrity Act (2006:351), The Biobanks in Medical Care Act (2002:297), Health and Medical Services (Professional Activities) Act (1998:531), and The Health and Medical Services Act (1982:763) all express concern for «the integrity of the individual» or «human dignity.»^[48]

United States[edit]

In 2008, The President’s Council on Bioethics tried to arrive at a consensus about what dignity meant but failed. Edmund D. Pellegrino, M.D., the council’s chairman, says in the Letter of Transmittal to the President of The United States, «… there is no universal agreement on the meaning of the term, human dignity.»^[49]

Law[edit]

McDougal, Lasswell, and Chen studied dignity as a basis for international law.^[50] They said that using dignity as the basis for laws was a «natural law approach.»^[51] The natural law approach, they said, depends upon «exercises of faith.»^[52] McDougal, Lasswell, and Chen observed:^[53]

The abiding difficulty with the natural law approach is that its assumptions, intellectual procedures, and modalities of justification can be employed equally by the proponents of human dignity and the proponents of human indignity in support of diametrically opposed empirical specifications of rights …

Canada[edit]

In 2004, Canada enacted the Assisted Human Reproduction Act.^[54] Section 2(b) of the Act states, «the benefits of assisted human reproductive technologies and related research for individuals, for families and for society in general can be most effectively secured by taking appropriate measures for the protection and promotion of human health, safety, dignity and rights in the use of these technologies and in related research.» The Act prescribes a fine not exceeding $500,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years, or both, if someone undertakes a proscribed activity such as the creation of a chimera.

European Union[edit]

Article 1 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union affirms the inviolability of human dignity.

France[edit]

In 1997, the National Consultative Committee for Ethics in the Life and Health Sciences, as well as other observers, noted that France’s dignity-based laws on bio-medical research were paradoxical. The law prohibited the willful destruction of human embryos but directed that human embryos could be destroyed if they were more than five years old.^[55] The law prohibited research on human embryos created in France but permitted research on human embryos brought to France.^[55] The law prohibited researchers from creating embryos for research but allowed researchers to experiment with embryos that were superfluous after in vitro fertilization.^[56]

Germany[edit]

Human dignity is the fundamental principle of the German constitution. Article 1, paragraph 1 reads: «Human dignity shall be inviolable. To respect and protect it shall be the duty of all state authority.» Human dignity is thus mentioned even before the right to life. This has a significant impact on German law-making and jurisdiction in both serious and trivial items:

• Human dignity is the basis of § 131 StGB, which prohibits the depiction of cruelty against humans in an approving way. § 131 has been used to confiscate horror movies and to ban video games like Manhunt and the Mortal Kombat series.
• A decision^[57] by the German Federal Constitutional Court in 1977 said life imprisonment without the possibility of parole is unconstitutional as a violation of human dignity (and the Rechtsstaat principle). Today, a prisoner serving a life term can be granted parole on good behavior as early as 15 years after being incarcerated, provided that his release is held to constitute little danger to the public. Note that persons deemed still dangerous can be incarcerated indefinitely on a life term, if this judgment is regularly reaffirmed.
• § 14(3) of the Luftsicherheitsgesetz, which would have allowed the Bundeswehr to shoot down airliners if they are used as weapons by terrorists, was declared unconstitutional mainly on the grounds of human dignity: killing a small number of innocent people to save a large number cannot be legalized since it treats dignity as if it were a measurable and limited quantity.
• A Benetton advertisement showing human buttocks with an «H.I.V. positive» stamp was declared a violation of human dignity by some courts, but in the end found legal.^[58][59]
• The first German law legalizing abortion in 1975 was declared unconstitutional because the court held that embryos had human dignity.^[60] A new law on abortion was developed in the 1990s. This law makes all abortions de jure illegal, except if preceded by counseling (§ 219 I GERMAN CRIMINAL CODE).
• In a decision from 1981-12-15, the Bundesverwaltungsgericht declared that peep shows violated the human dignity of the performer, regardless of their feelings. The decision was later revised. Peep shows where the performer cannot see the persons who are watching them remain prohibited as a matter of dignity.

India[edit]

The word ‘dignity’ is mentioned in the Preamble to the Constitution of India:

WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens

JUSTICE, social, economic and political;
LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship;
EQUALITY of status and of opportunity; and to promote among them all
FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation;

IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this 26th day of November 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION.

The preamble is widely regarded as the backbone of the Indian constitution, and is seen as embodying its spirit. There have been instances where in contentious situations like the passing of the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019, criticisms have been made by recalling the constitutional Values of dignity and national integrity, as mentioned in the Preamble.^[61]

Iran[edit]

The need to respect human dignity has been written in the Iranian constitution law. Article 2 of the Iranian Constitution Law mentions six principles and infrastructures as basic to the governing system which in Article 1 is called the Islamic Republic of Iran. The sixth principle of this Article concerns human dignity and stipulates that “the Islamic Republic of Iran is a system founded on faith in ….6) Human dignity and high value and his/her freedom as well as his responsibility before God”[3]. Besides, in the prelude to the Constitution, human dignity is referred to concerning the mass media.^[62]

South Africa[edit]

The Constitution of South Africa lists «human dignity, the achievement of equality and the advancement of human rights and freedoms» as one of the founding values of the South African state, and the Bill of Rights is described as affirming the «democratic values of human dignity, equality and freedom». Section 10 of the Constitution explicitly states that «Everyone has inherent dignity and the right to have their dignity respected and protected.» In jurisprudence, the right to dignity is often seen as underlying more specific rights, such as equality, security of the person or privacy, but it has been directly applied in a number of cases relating to criminal punishment, the law of defamation, and the right to marriage and family life.^[63]

Switzerland[edit]

The Swiss Federal Constitution provides in article 7 that «Human dignity must be respected and protected.»^[64] It also provides, in art. 120, that the state must «take account of the dignity of living beings as well as the safety of human beings, animals and the environment» when legislating on the use of reproductive and genetic material;^[65] consequently the Federal Ethics Commission on Non-Human Biotechnology (ECNH) issued, in 2008, a publication entitled «The dignity of living beings with regard to plants».^[66]

See also[edit]

• Autonomy
• Admiration
• Anger
• Beyond Freedom and Dignity
• Dignity of risk
• Humanity (virtue)
• Human rights
• Individual
• Industriousness
• Justice
• Quality of life
• Respect
• Righteous indignation
• Right to life with dignity
• Self-determination theory
• Self-concept
• Self-esteem
• Self-respect

References[edit]

Further reading[edit]

• El Bernoussi, Zaynab (2014). «The postcolonial politics of dignity: From the 1956 Suez nationalization to the 2011 Revolution in Egypt». International Sociology. 30 (4): 367–382. doi:10.1177/0268580914537848. S2CID 220723176.
• Andorno, Roberto. «Human dignity and human rights as a common ground for a global bioethics». Journal of Medicine and Philosophy, 2009, 34(3):223–240.
• Saccà, Luigi. «A Biophilosophical Model of Human Dignity: The Argument from Development in a Four-Dimensionalist Perspective». International Journal of Applied Philosophy, 2013, 27(2):175–194. doi:10.5840/ijap20131221
• Folot, Eric. «Human Dignity (Part 1): Its Critics» https://ssrn.com/abstract=2354171 and http://www.legavox.fr/blog/ethos/dignite-humaine-partie-detracteurs-12702.htm
• Thomas De Koninck, De la dignité humaine, Paris, Quadrige/PUF, 1995, 2nd ed. in 2002 (Award «La Bruyère» of the Académie française, 1996).
• Thomas De Koninck, «Protecting Human Dignity in Research Involving Humans», Journal of Academic Ethics, vol. 7, issue 1–2, 2009, pp. 17–25.
• Pele, Antonio. (in Spanish) Una aproximación al concepto de dignidad humana Universitas. Revista de filosofía, derecho y política (Spain), Nº. 1, 2004 2005, pp. 9–13.
• Piechowiak, Marek. Plato’s Conception of Justice and the Question of Human Dignity. Berlin: Peter Lang, 2019; second edition, revised and extended, Berlin: Peter Lang 2021. doi:10.3726/b18092.
• Sweet, William. [1]. ‘Whose Dignity is it Anyway? Lecture presented as part of the ‘Breakfast on the Hill’ series, Parliament Hill, Ottawa, Canada, May 2007.
• Dignity Spiritualwiki
• Dilley, Stephen and Nathan Palpant (eds.), Human Dignity in Bioethics. From Worldviews to the Public Square. New York: Routledge, 2013. [2]
• Spiegel, Alix: For The Dying, A Chance To Rewrite Life, Radio Feature about dignity therapy, an end-of-life treatment created Harvey Chochinov, NPR, 12. September 2011.
• Salehi, Hamid Reza. «Human Dignity From the Viewpoint of Iranian Law», Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, Volume 10, Issue 2, June 2013, 135–136. doi:10.1007/s11673-013-9437-8.

External links[edit]

• «Human Dignity». Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

Last Updated:
6 Apr 2023
— Updated example sentences

English[edit]

Alternative forms[edit]

• dignitie (obsolete)

Etymology[edit]

From Middle English dignyte, from Old French dignité, from Latin dīgnitās (“worthiness, merit, dignity, grandeur, authority, rank, office”), from dīgnus (“worthy, appropriate”), from Proto-Italic *degnos, from Proto-Indo-European *dḱ-nos, from *deḱ- (“to take”).

See also decus (“honor, esteem”) and decet (“it is fitting”). Cognate to deign. Doublet of dainty. In this sense, displaced native Old English weorþsċipe, which became Modern English worship.

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): /ˈdɪɡnɪti/

Noun[edit]

dignity (countable and uncountable, plural dignities)

1. The state of being dignified or worthy of esteem: elevation of mind or character.
   • 1981, African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, art. 5

     Every individual shall have the right to the respect of the dignity inherent in a human being.

2. Decorum, formality, stateliness.
   • 1934, Aldous Huxley, «Puerto Barrios», in Beyond the Mexique Bay:

     Official DIGNITY tends to increase in inverse ratio to the importance of the country in which the office is held.

3. High office, rank, or station.

   • c. 1587–1588, [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], part 1, 2nd edition, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592, →OCLC; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire; London: Scolar Press, 1973, →ISBN, Act III, scene iii:

     Note the preſumption of this Scythian ſlaue:
     I tel thee villaine, thoſe that lead my horſe
     Haue to their names tytles of dignitie,
     And dar’ſt thou bluntly cal me Baiazeth?

   • 1781, Edward Gibbon, The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, F. III. 231:

     He … distributed the civil and military dignities among his favourites and followers.

4. One holding high rank; a dignitary.
5. (obsolete) Fundamental principle; axiom; maxim.
6. (euphemistic) The male genitalia. (Can we add an example for this sense?)

Synonyms[edit]

• worth
• worthiness

Coordinate terms[edit]

• augustness, humanness, nobility, majesty, grandeur, glory, superiority, wonderfulness

Derived terms[edit]

[edit]

• deign
• dignified
• dignify

Translations[edit]

See also[edit]

• affirmation
• integrity
• self-respect
• self-esteem
• self-worth

• dignity in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• “dignity”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.

Anagrams[edit]

• tidying

достоинство, сан, благородство, звание, титул, знать, лица высокого звания

существительное ↓

Словосочетания

to cashier of all dignity and power — лишать всех званий и полномочий  
to comport oneself with dignity — вести себя с достоинством  
to make a dent in smb.’s dignity — уязвить чью-л. гордость  
to possess dignity — обладать чувством собственного достоинства  
to maintain one’s dignity — сохранять достоинство  
to live in dignity — жить с достоинством  
to die in / with dignity — достойно встретить смерть  
an air of dignity — выражение достоинства  
grant of dignity — пожалование почетного звания  
to lend dignity — придавать достоинство  

Примеры с переводом

Примеры, ожидающие перевода

Возможные однокоренные слова

dignitary  — сановник, прелат, сановный
indignity  — унижение, оскорбление, пренебрежение, унизительность

Do you consider yourself to be a person with dignity? Here we will provide you with the definition of the word dignity. Then, we will explore how to use the word dignity in a sentence. 

Afterward, you will learn the etymology of dignity, translations of dignity, and more! Look no further than this article for all the information you need on the word dignity!

What Does Dignity Mean?

Dictionary states that the word dignity is a noun with a few various definitions. The first definition of dignity is conduct that shows respect or appreciation for a formal or serious situation. 

Second, dignity can refer to worthiness or elevation of character, office, or rank. Finally, dignity can mean a sign of respect. 

Since the word dignity has a few different definitions, you must make your context clear when using this word. 

You would not want someone to think that you mean one definition of dignity when you actually mean another. This can confuse things, so be sure to provide adequate context when using the word dignity. 

How Can We Use Dignity in a Sentence?

As you have just learned, the word dignity has three different potential definitions. The below example sentences use all of these definitions. As you read through these examples, see if you can discern which definition is used in each sentence. 

Example #1

After she got out of the abusive relationship, she knew that she had to find dignity within. For years, she had gotten her self-esteem from another person and had to learn to find self-respect for the human being she was.

Question: What definition of dignity does the above sentence use?

Answer: In the above sentence, the word dignity means worthiness.

Example #2

The dignitary had a high rank and high office and therefore walked with a loftiness to him. Some people used this as a reason to treat him with respect, but other people hated his pompous attitude, 

Question: What definition of dignity does the above sentence use?

Answer: In the above sentence, the word dignity means an elevated rank or office.

Example #3

When the man could not even give her the dignity of opening the car door for her, she knew their relationship was over. She had self-worth and knew that she was worthy of respect.

Question: What definition of dignity does the above sentence use?

Answer: In the above sentence, the word dignity means a sign of respect.

Example #4

No matter where the participants came from, rich or poor, the group’s leader treated them all with equal dignity. She knew each one of them was worthy of esteem and had the potential to find poise.

Question: What definition of dignity does the above sentence use?

Answer: In the above sentence, the word dignity means worthiness.

What Is the Etymology of Dignity?

The word dignity became an English language word many years ago, between 1175 and 1225. This word comes from the Middle English dignite, a word of Anglo-French origins. This word comes from the Old French dignite, the Latin dignitas, and dignus worthy. 

What Are Translations of Dignity?

Suppose you are going to be traveling to a country with a storied history of royalty. In that case, you might find it useful to know how to say the word dignity in languages other than American English! 

Nice Translator can help you learn how to say dignity in many languages. After reading this list, you will be an expert on translations of dignity. 

• Bulgarian: достойнство
• Vietnamese: phẩm giá
• Malayalam: പതാപം
• French: dignité
• Hungarian: méltóság
• Chinese (Taiwan): 尊嚴
• Italian: dignità
• Welsh: urddas
• Marathi: प्रतिष्ठा
• Korean: 위엄
• Telugu: గౌరవం
• Gujarati: ગૌરવ
• Romanian: demnitate
• German: Würde
• Chinese (PRC): 尊严
• Filipino: dignidad
• Icelandic: reisn
• Catalan: dignitat
• Slovenian: dostojanstvo
• Spanish: dignidad
• Swahili: hadhi
• Swedish: värdighet
• Greek: αξιοπρέπεια
• Portuguese (Brazil): dignidade
• Turkish: itibar
• Slovak: dôstojnosť
• Tamil: க ity ரவம்
• Russian: достоинство
• Indonesian: harga diri
• Urdu: وقار
• Arabic: كرامة
• Lithuanian: orumas
• Portuguese (Portugal): dignidade
• Croatian: dostojanstvo
• Malay: martabat
• Finnish: arvokkuus
• Bengali: মর্যাদা
• Basque: duintasun
• Latvian: cieņa
• Dutch: waardigheid
• Amharic: ክብር
• Hebrew: כָּבוֹד
• Hindi: गौरव
• Ukrainian: гідність
• Danish: værdighed
• Thai: ศักดิ์ศรี
• Japanese: 尊厳
• Polish: godność
• Estonian: väärikus
• Czech: důstojnost
• Kannada: ಘನತೆ
• Norwegian: verdighet
• Serbian: достојанство

What Are Synonyms of Dignity?

The word dignity has a very serious connotation. Sometimes, you might be looking for a word that means dignity but does not have the same connotation. 

Alternately, you might feel like you have been using the word dignity too much. If you’re looking for another word for dignity, turn to this list of synonyms of dignity from Power Thesaurus.

• amour propre
• aristocracy
• augustness
• ceremoniousness
• courtliness
• culture
• decency
• decorum
• distinction
• elegance
• eminence
• ethics
• etiquette
• glory
• good form
• goodness
• grandeur
• grandness
• gravitas
• gravity
• greatness
• honor
• integrity
• loftiness
• lordliness
• majesty
• morality
• nobility
• nobleness
• prestige
• pride
• propriety
• rank
• refinement
• regality
• repute
• respect
• respectability
• royalty
• sedateness
• seemliness
• self-esteem
• self-regard
• self-respect
• self-worth
• sobriety
• solemnity
• standing
• stateliness
• status
• virtue
• worth
• worthiness

What Are Antonyms of Dignity?

For opposites of the word dignity, you can use this list of dignity antonyms from Power Thesaurus!

• attaint
• awkwardness
• bad manners
• badness
• baseness
• blot
• chaperon
• cheerfulness
• coarseness
• commonness
• complain
• contemptibility
• crime
• crudeness
• crudity
• debase
• debasement
• defect
• degradation
• degrade
• depravity
• disgrace
• dishonor
• humiliation
• ignominy
• immorality
• indecency
• indignity
• infamy
• inferiority
• insignificance
• insult
• irrelevance
• lowliness
• lowness
• making fun of
• obloquy
• opprobrium
• scandal
• shame
• spot
• subordinateness
• subordination
• unimportance
• vice
• worthlessness

Conclusion

Dignity is a noun with a few different definitions. This is a great word to add to your vocabulary and use in your daily life! Try using dignity in a sentence of your own today.

Sources:

Dignity synonyms – 1 498 Words and Phrases for Dignity | Power Thesaurus 

Dignity antonyms – 1 316 Opposites of Dignity | Power Thesaurus 

Dignity Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com Unabridged English Dictionary

Dignity | Nice Translator 

They will soon realize that the best way to regain dignity is to call us what we are — an army of occupation — and force our withdrawal. ❋ Unknown (2007)

«She has brought the word dignity to new heights by her courage,» Pelosi said. ❋ By Li (2012)

I use the word dignity in a tongue-in-cheek way, because I realized I hadn’t come far in the past 31 years when it comes to letting go of summer without wrapping my body around it and holding on for dear life. ❋ Jennifer La Lima-Ortmuller (2011)

I don’t need that soul if the dignity is already gone, eh? ❋ Unknown (2009)

He quickly gave the order to admit them, and so keen was his curiosity, despite what he called his dignity, that he got up and went forward to meet them. ❋ ��mile Gaboriau (1852)

Kennedy also used the word «dignity» three times in his 2003 opinion throwing out the sodomy prosecution of two gay men, tantalizing liberals with the possibility that he will someday bless same-sex marriage. ❋ By EMILY BAZELON (2011)

The reason: a group of some 300 French protesters were aboard what they dubbed the «dignity train» carrying around 60 Tunisians who hold temporary residence papers granted by Italy. ❋ Unknown (2011)

I realized that our word dignity, which encompasses so much of what’s at stake, ultimately traces back to the Greek theos: our dignity is our quality of bearing God’s image. ❋ Unknown (2009)

So we have moderns like Pinker writing that «dignity» is a meaningless term when speaking of human life; and Singer resurrecting the notion of a lebensunwertes Leben, a «life unworthy of life.» ❋ M_francis (2009)

Castle in Irish means country house, and all over the south and west of Ireland you may find such houses as this with doors screwed up, windows covered with planks, roofs and eaves stripped of the lead and slates which once protected them from the storms which rise up from the Atlantic, and burst in wind and rain, snow and sleet over Connemara, long ago taken away to sell by the bankrupt heirs of those who ruined themselves, mortgaged and sold every acre of ground and every stick and stone they owned to maintain what they called the dignity of their families at the Vice-Regal Court in Dublin. ❋ George Chetwynd Griffith (1881)

Isnt it time for your lesson in dignity and self respect from a crackwhore? ❋ Unknown (2010)

And I believe, as you do, that a foreign policy that does not understand the universal yearning for individual freedom and dignity is not a recognizably American foreign policy. ❋ Unknown (2009)

As far as I am concerned, I would gladly have somebody give me an overdose of Morphine and end my life in dignity instead of how my Mother went. ❋ Unknown (2009)

A full response would include a more pervasive look at material possession and how we should act with regard to it, but a basic message against the violation of another’s dignity is still a fair message to proclaim. ❋ Unknown (2009)

If a girl consents to having a [friends with benefits] relationship with a guy, she may feel a loss of dignity after-wards if she would really rather have [a boyfriend].
If you are drunk [you lose] your dignity. ❋ Orange Cookie (2010)

After being embarrsed when trying to bully [Rick], John [stood up] straight, [scraped up] the little dignity he had, and left the room. ❋ JmanXD (2010)

Some believe that a [terminally ill] [patient] or one in a vegetative state should be allowed to [terminate] their life; to «die with dignity«. ❋ Hlalague (2006)

«[Hadi] [took] his dignity and [left]» ❋ Samar Tokko (2007)

[slutty] [cristina] [missing] dignity ❋ Ogon (2011)

[That bitch] got on her [knees] and [sucked] his cock, wheres her dignity? ❋ Annie Nonimos (2008)

[Are you ready] to [loose] your dignity. ❋ PineappleJuice (2015)

1.Pride
2.Unwillingness to surrender
3.[Self-Respect]
4.Men’s stupidity to be brave
5.Women’s [ingenuity] to [be clever]
«Your dignity is making everything worse. I told not to do it!» ❋ A Femme (2007)

[Re-elect Bush] in [2004]! ❋ Scot DeVoss (2004)

We [Arra] [People Man]. 133 Years of Unsurpassed Dignity. [WATP] ❋ AndyBhoy (2006)

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Once we accept violence as an adaptation, it makes sense that its expression is calibrated to the environment. The same individual will behave differently if he comes of age in Detroit, Mich., versus Windsor, Ontario; in New York in the 1980s versus New York now; in a culture of honor versus a culture of dignity.

Paul Bloom

ETYMOLOGY OF THE WORD DIGNITY

From Old French dignite, from Latin dignitās merit, from dignus worthy.

PRONUNCIATION OF DIGNITY

GRAMMATICAL CATEGORY OF DIGNITY

Dignity is a noun.

WHAT DOES DIGNITY MEAN IN ENGLISH?

Definition of dignity in the English dictionary

The first definition of dignity in the dictionary is a formal, stately, or grave bearing. Other definition of dignity is the state or quality of being worthy of honour. Dignity is also relative importance; rank.

WORDS THAT RHYME WITH DIGNITY

SYNONYMS OF «DIGNITY»

The following words have a similar or identical meaning as «dignity» and belong to the same grammatical category.

TRANSLATION OF DIGNITY

Find out the translation of dignity to 25 languages with our English multilingual translator.

TENDENCIES OF USE OF THE TERM «DIGNITY»

The term «dignity» is very widely used and occupies the 15.740 position in our list of most widely used terms in the English dictionary.

Principal search tendencies and common uses of dignity

FREQUENCY OF USE OF THE TERM «DIGNITY» OVER TIME

10 QUOTES WITH «DIGNITY»

Famous quotes and sentences with the word dignity.

10 ENGLISH BOOKS RELATING TO «DIGNITY»

Discover the use of dignity in the following bibliographical selection. Books relating to dignity and brief extracts from same to provide context of its use in English literature.

10 NEWS ITEMS WHICH INCLUDE THE TERM «DIGNITY»

Find out what the national and international press are talking about and how the term dignity is used in the context of the following news items.

REFERENCE

« EDUCALINGO. Dignity [online]. Available <https://educalingo.com/en/dic-en/dignity>. Apr 2023 ».

Growing up, our caregivers often try to teach us the values and morals that we will take with us for a lifetime. Some of these are universal, such as treating others how you’d like to be treated, while others are more specific to certain families, customs, or religions.

One such value many people grow up learning about is dignity. Though you may not know how to describe it in detail, many people possess dignity and utilize it daily.

What Is Dignity?

Dignity may form an essential part of our self-image as it deals with aspects such as self-worth, respect, and right vs. wrong. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines dignity in these three ways:

1. Formal reserve or seriousness of manner, appearance, or language
2. The quality or state of being worthy, honored, or esteemed
3. A high rank, office, or position

The first definition reflects what we may think dignity looks like. We might associate the idea of dignity with concepts like honor or morality that are purposeful, deliberate, and trained. This definition could imply that dignity may be obtained by acting or presenting oneself in a certain way.

The second definition describes the concept of dignity as consisting of subjective ideas like worth, honor, and self-esteem. The third definition may be more limited to society. It is not focused on describing the concept of dignity that originates from within. Instead, it focuses on one’s social status or rank.

The First Definition

The first definition of dignity describes the outward perception of our personality, looks, and communication skills. It may ignore the idea that dignity must come from within. It may also present a false notion that dignity is something that we can «turn on» at any moment.

The first definition could cause us to view dignity as a product of what others praise about us. However, the widely-accepted meaning of dignity often has more to do with personal actions and how you might view yourself and others.

The Second Definition

Though the second definition of dignity touches on the keywords close to the first definition, it may ignore that concepts of dignity, like worth, honor, and self-esteem, are often developed inside us.

The quality of being dignified cannot be given to us by someone else, and when we look to others to create dignity within us, it may be similar to looking to someone else to determine our self-worth.

The Third Definition

While the third definition may be a perfectly acceptable definition of dignity by society’s standards, it might not help us uncover the true meaning of dignity within us. True dignity often rests not solely on one’s rank or societal position. Individuals may be dignified without a status.

For example, some individuals believe that someone could have dignity because they are a police officer, political official, or celebrity. However, their personal actions and beliefs may not coincide with the stereotypes of how they should behave in their career, and their title does not necessarily make them dignified.

Being dignified is often more than what we look like or how others see us. Dignity is something that may develop inside of us. Being dignified is something that many people choose to be mindful of daily.

The core principles of dignity may include the following:

• Self-worth
• Self-esteem
• Self-love
• Self-appreciation
• Self-care
• Self-confidence

Developing Dignity

Discovering the true meaning of dignity and building a healthy sense of dignity within ourselves can take time and patience. Take time to work on the elements of dignity one by one. Each of these elements is explored in detail below.

Self-Worth

Self-worth is a measure of how much we value ourselves. It is a form of dignity that can require understanding what makes us unique, why we matter, and why we deserve love. We may discover our self-worth by actively seeking out what makes us feel we matter and are happy when all outside influences disappear.

For example, someone may find self-worth from volunteering for a cause they believe in or taking up a new hobby.

Self-Esteem

Self-esteem is often closely related to self-worth. It can stem from the attitudes, feelings, and opinions that we hold about ourselves. It may appear as an internal voice that tells us, «you are/are not good enough.»

When we have low self-esteem, our dignity may be impacted too. Self-esteem may be improved when we silence our inner critic and find reasons to challenge its logic.

Partaking in activities that cause you to feel more positively about yourself may improve self-esteem, such as:

• Mindfulness
• Meditation
• Yoga

Self-Love

Self-love can be defined as appreciating and accepting oneself as you are, while also recognizing areas in which you can grow. Increasing our self-love requires us to put ourselves first at times. We may prioritize our well-being physically, emotionally, and mentally, showing dignity to ourselves and others.

The first step to self-love may often involve forgiving ourselves for past mistakes. We might also learn how to turn off the voice that says we are not good enough or do not deserve the dignity of being loved by ourselves.

You might improve self-love by practicing affirmations or daily mantras, such as:

• «I am worthy of love.»
• «I am beautiful.»
• «I appreciate my willingness to work on my mental health.»
• «I deserve kindness and patience from myself and others.»

Self-Appreciation

When someone goes out of their way to be kind to us, we often show appreciation. At times, the situation may require a «thank you.» Other times, we may buy them a gift or spend quality time with them as a sign of gratitude.

Appreciation isn’t just for others; we can shower ourselves with this gift, too. Anytime you do something that is successful or drives you forward, or when you do something that makes you feel good, take a second to thank yourself for doing something that benefits your well-being.

Self-Care

Self-care may go hand in hand with self-love. However, self-care is often the action behind self-love. Love is something that we can feel, and care is an action we can take.

We may show self-care physically, for example, by getting enough sleep, eating well, and exercising. Emotional and mental self-care can be achieved by practicing kindness, meditating, or reflecting on the great things in our life.

Self-Confidence

Self-confidence is often the idea that we can achieve whatever we set our hearts and minds to. It may not be based on the belief that we will be successful in everything we do but on the understanding that even if we are not successful in a particular endeavor, we will be okay.

It can require positivity, motivation, and an inner desire to keep moving forward. Self-confidence can be achieved by developing a «can do» attitude.

For example, you may work to understand that failures can be a part of a more significant journey and that setbacks do not necessarily require us to give up altogether. Instead, they may be an invitation to learn and either try again or move on.

Recognizing And Building Dignity

Some individuals grow up with a strong sense of dignity, while others may develop it over time as an adult. Building it may begin with healing from your past and committing to a better future that you can be proud of. It can also look like learning more about yourself and staying true to your boundaries and morals.

Since dignity is often personal, it may look different for everyone. What feels dignified to one person may not feel so to another, and vice versa. When you develop a sense of dignity within yourself, it can become a strong foundation that you can stand on every day.

Since you will create dignity on your own, building a dignified life often has a ripple effect. As a result, you may experience other positives, such as higher self-esteem, self-worth, and self-love.

Counseling To Improve Dignity

At times, we may feel that we need help when building our sense of dignity. If that is the case for you, speaking to a professional might offer you much-needed support. Many individuals opt to try online therapy, as it has become more popular for those who enjoy easy browsing from home.

Online therapy can be a helpful resource for removing shame and building one’s sense of dignity. One study showed how internet-based CBT successfully treated anxiety disorders by reducing levels of shame. This effect may be because of what online therapy provides that many traditional therapy options do not.

An essential aspect of building dignity can be removing the barriers that keep you from loving yourself. Sometimes, this involves healing from a shameful past and positively viewing yourself in a new light. If you’re interested in trying therapy, you might reach out to a counselor on a platform such as BetterHelp, which has a vast database of therapists available.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Is The Real Meaning Of Dignity?

If you browse the dictionary, you will find several definitions, as well as other related words. The definition starts with etymology, also called the word origin. The word comes from the Latin word «dignitas,» meaning worthiness, merit, or rank.Later, dignity came to Old Anglo-French as «dignite.» Finally, the word meaning «to be dignified» was adopted into Middle English as «dignitee.»

Now, the Cambridge English Dictionary gives several definitions. The first refers to behavior that is calm, serious, and controlled. The second is a person’s importance and value that makes them respect themselves, and others respect them. Another is the quality of being worthy that someone might have.Synonyms for being dignified include greatness, poise, self-respect, virtue, status, and grace.

If you use a word finder or look through an unabridged dictionary, you might find even more definitions of dignity and related words and phrases. However, the real meaning goes beyond what you can read in a dictionary. In its most essential meaning, it is something you develop in yourself. The real meaning of dignity is self-respect, self-worth, and self-love that you develop based on who you are, what you’ve done, and the values you hold. Dignity looks different for everyone.

What Is An Example Of Dignity?

Nurses practice delivering care in the right ways to preserve their patients’ dignity. For example, a nurse might take extra precautions to ensure that a patient suffering from incontinence gets appropriate practical help, and personal hygiene so their patient can continue to feel the self-respect and self-worth that they deserve.

How Do We Show Dignity?

Being dignified to yourself means communicating assertively to make sure your needs are met without stooping to the level of aggression or passive aggression. To be dignified to someone else, be kind to them, and treat them the way they want to be treated.

What Are The Four Types Of Dignity?

There are four different types of dignity. These types are:

1. The dignity of merit
2. The dignity of moral stature
3. The dignity of identity
4. Menschenwürde

The dignity of merit is related to your status. The status of being dignified may be a position in society, an award, an achievement, or a title, to name a few. Some of these dignified statuses are earned while others may be inherited, such as the title of a monarch. This social rank would make you a dignitary. The dignity that comes from your position in society can be taken away or lost, but you can still feel proud that you once held the position. This is especially important for older people who have retired and no longer hold their former dignified status.

The dignity of moral stature is based on your moral deeds. If you see yourself as a good person, you have dignified personal morals. Others may also see your dignified virtue and respect you for it. But if you do things that are immoral, especially if you think they are immoral yourself, then you can lose your dignity.

The dignity of identity refers to how you perceive your mind and body, and your self-image plays a part in that. If you see yourself as healthy, mentally fit, and both physically and mentally competent, you have it.

Menschenwürde refers to the dignity of every human. If you are alive, you have Menschenwürde. You can’t lose it unless you no longer exist.

Why Is Dignity So Important?

Dignity is a crucial part of life. Without it, it can be difficult to be courageous and confident in pursuing your goals, whether at work, at school, in your community, or in your relationships. Without it, we would likely struggle with who we are and our sense of self-worth and self-confidence.

What Is The Difference Between Dignity And Respect?

Dignity is the quality of being honorable or honoring someone. Respect is a quality of the person who elevates someone else. If you show someone respect, you can increase their sense of dignity. As such, the two are related but not the same.

What Is Another Word For Dignity?

Honor is another word for dignity, referring to high respect or esteem, doing what is morally right, regarding someone else with respect, or fulfilling an obligation.

What Is The “Dignity Of A Woman?”

The dignity of a woman is often diminished or misunderstood today. For a woman, this can mean that they are able to live without fear, without being coerced, and away from violence and discrimination; this can have as much to do with society as with the woman themself. It can also follow the same concepts outlined in the above article; a woman has dignity by knowing, loving, and respecting themself. By upholding women’s honor, we can create a better world.

What Does Human Dignity Look Like?

Human dignity is the intrinsic value of a human that says they are worthy of respect regardless of age, status, ability, gender, race, and religious beliefs. When we treat others with dignity, we make their lives better, and at the same time, we grow as individuals. When we hold ourselves with dignity, we can feel worthy and able to be a part of society.

What Is The Difference Between Dignity And Self-Respect?

Self-respect is a part of dignity. It also includes self-worth, self-esteem, self-love, self-appreciation, self-care, and self-confidence. Self-respect is the concept of knowing oneself well enough to respect one’s own goals, boundaries, needs, and so on. By practicing self-respect, we can increase our sense of dignity.

What Is Your Dignity?

It is both a source and an outcome of your inner strength and positive feelings about yourself.

What Are Dignity Examples?

Here are several examples of dignity:

• You listen to others carefully and empathetically.
• You stand up for yourself without infringing on others’ rights.
• You feel confident in making your own decisions and create space for others to make theirs.
• You show respect and appreciation for others as well as yourself.

Honoring someone’s dignity is important for anyone who comes into your life. For example, you can help them get the assistance they need without pushing them to do something they think is wrong or humiliating. Honor their wishes. Show empathy without assuming you know exactly how they feel.

What Does Personal Dignity Mean?

One’s personal dignity is unique to every individual. It includes your inner feelings and attitudes of self-love, self-care, self-esteem, and self-appreciation. It is the way you think and feel about yourself. It also includes behaviors that enhance your sense of self-worth and self-confidence. Being kind to yourself and to others can increase your sense of dignity, as well.