“Within the hearts men, loyalty and consideration are esteemed greater than success.”
Bryant H McGill
The Samurai in ancient Japan would be so driven by loyalty to their Lord that if the Samurai failed his master, disgraced him, or even the Lord died in battle, the Samurai would be expected to commit ritual suicide in a show of loyalty. This is extreme for the modern world, though we have once again left loyalty behind for speed of progress.
Loyalty is a sense of duty and devotion, a faithfulness to commitments and obligations. This can be to people, ideals, countries and more. It is a hugely influential value to cultivate and take on board. It is also what true friendships are formed on.
“What I value most in my friends is loyalty.”
David Mamet
We are not saying that you need to work in a company for the next forty years or cling on as a marriage falls apart. We are saying that relationships, places and people need your effort and help to make them work and grow, and that takes some loyalty.
“I take things like honor and loyalty seriously. It’s more important to me than any materialistic thing or any fame I could have.”
Lloyd Banks
Let’s put it into a modern context. Think about a Start Up business and a team of people that have come together to build a business. They have formed a bond, a code and group sense of loyalty to accomplish their goal of success. They might hit bumps along the road and have difficulties, but their loyalty to each other and the course will see them through.
Loyalty is a value that has great depth and shows true character, being able to stand up for your values sits on the pillar of loyalty.
A Gentleman’s Hint:
Show people you care for them and have them at heart. Do something with them in the next couple of days.
