If you don’t respect me you’re not gonna get that respect back.

The line frames respect as reciprocal rather than unconditional: if someone approaches you with contempt, they should not expect deference in return. It implies a boundary-setting ethic—self-respect requires refusing to reward disrespectful behavior—and it also hints at a social contract in which civility is maintained through mutual recognition. The phrasing (“you’re not gonna”) gives it the tone of a blunt, spoken admonition, suggesting it was likely delivered in a confrontational or corrective moment (e.g., responding to criticism, heckling, or an interpersonal slight). As a maxim, it endorses dignity and assertiveness, though it can also be read as transactional, making respect contingent on others’ conduct.