Chapter 63: Community order (paragraphs 2-3)

In that way they will conform to scripture which says they should try to be the first to show respect for each other.

(From para. 3 of Ch. 63 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)

I think that "being first" in this passage doesn't mean some kind of an ego-driven distinction. Being first to show respect means an "already being", a state of being in love, hence, a state of already respecting.