Today, cheating has gotten so common that loyalty seems to be a rare virtue, not the basic principle it was always meant to be. Lies are considered “missteps,” and betrayal is called “human nature” in this ethical fog. Under those circumstances, telling the truth seems almost noble, not because loyalty has changed but because our conception of morality has gradually lost its form.
At one time, loyalty was considered the normal condition of love, friendship, and companionship. It was not a luxury, but it was expected. Somewhere, however, along the line, the convenience of the thing began to outbalance the value of loyalty. Momentary pleasure was cheaper than abiding integrity, and the result is that today, to be loyal is a thing that requires not only devotion of heart, but also bravery.
True loyalty is not perfection, but is respect, self-control, and integrity, when no eyes look upon them. It is the choice of “not changing one’s mind” in a society that wants to have everyting: it is keeping promises made, even when it is easier to go away from a task. Loyalty, ultimately, is a quiet strength, an act of love made at high expense of self-control and truth.
Why, perhaps, it catches the eye so sharply today, is that the supply of souls that are true is becoming more difficult to procure. And in a world where it is the usual thing to reward convenience rather than loyalty, to be true has gone from being a commonplace virtue to something marvelous.
