We are not morally or otherwise obligated to respect any individual. We choose those whom we hold in high esteem, and some people are not worthy of our special respect. We are, however, morally obligated to treat everyone with respect. A person of character treats all human beings with respect. That is why we do not experiment on humans, torture criminals, or treat anyone inhumanely. This is the meaning of the quote, “I will treat you as a gentleman, not because you are one, but because I am one.”