Liked – found agreeable, enjoyable, or satisfactory.
Respected – admired someone deeply, as a result of their abilities, qualities, or achievements
We all have a need to belong to a tribe, to be liked. Unfortunately no one will never be liked by everyone. Attempting to be liked has led many a person to do things counter to their values.
Life is not a popularity contest. Many of the decisions we have to make in life are going to be unpopular, especially in today’s day and age, where everything is so polarized. In every situation you have to do what your values tell you is right, even if it is not easy or popular. When you consistently do what is right, then people will respect you, even if they don’t necessarily like you.
I would rather be respected than liked.
Educational Stoic 