The Male Ego and Self-Respect

I realized something today. There's a very thin line between ego and self respect. Most of the people are egoistic. They're nowhere near the line. A few people have left their ego so much so that their self respect is lost. How to constantly walk on the thin line ? How to behave in such a manner that without being egoistic, the point is proved and the self respect is maintained ? The one who can do this has lesser foes around him.