The lesson focuses on distinguishing self-respect from self-esteem, explaining that self-respect involves having pride and confidence in oneself, behaving with grace and honor, and feeling valuable in society. In contrast, self-esteem pertains to the belief in one’s ability to handle various situations effectively. The instructor emphasizes the strong link between the two, noting that low self-esteem often diminishes self-respect, while high self-esteem can boost it, but warns that excessive self-esteem may lead to egotism.