You don’t have to love them. You just have to respect their rights.

The line draws a sharp distinction between private sentiment and public obligation. Koch’s point is that a pluralistic democracy cannot depend on affection or agreement among citizens; it depends on a shared commitment to civil rights and equal treatment under law. “Love” is optional and personal, but “respect” is mandatory and civic: it means recognizing others’ legal and human standing even when you dislike them or disapprove of their beliefs or identity. The quote is often invoked in discussions of tolerance, minority rights, and the limits of compelled harmony—arguing that social peace is secured not by forcing people to feel warmly, but by requiring fair conduct and restraint.