Acharya Prashant explains that what individuals commonly refer to as self-esteem is actually derived from external environments, such as family and society. He argues that these feelings are not truly personal but are assessments made by others that have been internalized. For instance, societal preferences for physical traits or financial success dictate an individual's sense of worth. Therefore, self-esteem is rooted in a value system imposed from the outside rather than being an inherent quality. He asserts that if the value system itself comes from the outside, one's self-assessment will always be dependent on external factors. He distinguishes between self-love and self-esteem, stating that while self-love is a natural appreciation for one's consciousness, self-esteem is merely an opinion based on external standards. He equates self-esteem with respectability, describing the latter as a chain that restricts a person's actions. While respectability involves external monitoring, self-esteem is more dangerous because it functions as an internal guard or a programmed chip that controls the individual from within. This internal mechanism leads to feelings of guilt and suppression when an individual attempts to act outside of societal conditioning. The speaker concludes that the more a person is considered respectable by society, the more they are effectively controlled by it. Terms like respectable citizen or self-respecting individual are used by the media and society to reinforce these internal mechanisms of control. He suggests that true freedom is hindered by these internalized masters, which dictate behavior and prevent genuine satisfaction. Ultimately, he views self-esteem and conscience as tools used by society to ensure an individual remains under its influence even when alone.