Self-respect knows no considerations

क्षुत्क्षामोऽपि जराकृशोऽपि शिथिलप्रायोऽपि कष्टां दशाम्
आपन्नोऽपि विपन्नदीधितिरपि प्राणेषु गच्छत्स्वपि ।
मत्तेभेन्द्रविभिन्नकुम्भकवलग्रासैकबद्धस्पृहः
किं जीर्णं तृणमत्ति मानमहतामग्रेसरः केसरी ॥

- नीतिशतकम्

Though it is hungry for food, weakened by old age, going through difficulties, suffering from illness and senility, struggling between life and death, a lion always desires to taste fresh meat from the forehead of a mighty elephant. How can a lion, the mightiest of all creatures with great self-respect, feed on shriveled grass?

Self-respect knows no considerations.
Self respect is the cornerstone of all virtue.