# Quotes about loyalty

- Quotes: 41
- Authors: 32
- Broader topic: [Quotes about fidelity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/fidelity.md)
- Topic page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loyalty
- JSON version (same data): https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loyalty.json

## Quotes

> Stephen was appalled by the idea of being separated from the men he had fought with. He despised the war, but could not leave until he had seen it through until the end.

[Sebastian Faulks](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sebastian-faulks.md) · [Birdsong](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sebastian-faulks/birdsong.md) · p. 190 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sebastian-faulks/birdsong/stephen-was-appalled.md)

Topics: [war](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/war.md), [loyalty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loyalty.md)

> Such a mercurial ruler could hardly be an inspiration to his people. Wise men do not follow leaders whom they suspect might later reproach them for their loyalty.

[Ian Mortimer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ian-mortimer.md) · [The Fears of Henry IV](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ian-mortimer/the-fears-of-henry-iv.md) · p. 137 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ian-mortimer/the-fears-of-henry-iv/such-a-mercurial.md)

Topics: [leadership](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/leadership.md), [loyalty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loyalty.md)

> Next day on returning I found him dead in the snow with his head on the sill of the door — the door of his puppyhood's days; my dog to the last in his heart of hearts — it was my help he sought, and vainly sought, in the hour of his bitter extremity.

[Ernest Thompson Seton](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ernest-thompson-seton.md) · [Wild Animals I Have Known](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ernest-thompson-seton/wild-animals-i-have-known.md) · p. 182 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ernest-thompson-seton/wild-animals-i-have-known/next-day-on-returning.md)

Topics: [death](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/death.md), [animals](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/animals.md), [loyalty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loyalty.md)

> “You think he may be a triple agent?”
>
> “It wouldn’t be the first time something like that had happened. The one thing you know about someone who’s willing to compromise his allies is that he’s willing to compromise his allies.”

[James S. A. Corey](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-s-a-corey.md) · [Persepolis Rising](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-s-a-corey/persepolis-rising.md) · p. 472 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-s-a-corey/persepolis-rising/you-think-he-may.md)

Topics: [betrayal](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/betrayal.md), [loyalty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loyalty.md)

> Action led to action, free of any moorings, and the way to be someone, the way to catch the attention of the young and recruit them to one's cause, was to be enraged. It seemed as if the only way this lure of violence could be avoided was by having no causes, by being magnificently isolated from all loyalties. But was that not an ethical lapse graver than rage itself?

[Teju Cole](https://www.leafyquotes.com/teju-cole.md) · [Open City](https://www.leafyquotes.com/teju-cole/open-city.md) · p. 107 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/teju-cole/open-city/action-led-to-action.md)

Topics: [violence](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/violence.md), [anger](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/anger.md), [loyalty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loyalty.md)

> “You’re not very loyal,” Isaac said as Alice took his hand.
>
> “Loyalty,” Ashes sniffed, “is for dogs. Cats have better sense.”

[Django Wexler](https://www.leafyquotes.com/django-wexler.md) · [The Palace of Glass](https://www.leafyquotes.com/django-wexler/the-palace-of-glass.md) · p. 281 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/django-wexler/the-palace-of-glass/youre-not-very.md)

Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [cats](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cats.md), [loyalty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loyalty.md)

> Yes, he had been loyal to his friends, but even a wolf is loyal to other wolves.

[Marion L. Starkey](https://www.leafyquotes.com/marion-l-starkey.md) · [The Devil in Massachusetts](https://www.leafyquotes.com/marion-l-starkey/the-devil-in-massachusetts.md) · p. 262 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/marion-l-starkey/the-devil-in-massachusetts/yes-he-had.md)

Topics: [loyalty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loyalty.md)

> Sol remembered the dream, remembered his daughter’s hug, and realized that in the end—when all else is dust—loyalty to those we love is all we can carry with us to the grave.

[Dan Simmons](https://www.leafyquotes.com/dan-simmons.md) · [The Fall of Hyperion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/dan-simmons/the-fall-of-hyperion.md) · p. 242 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/dan-simmons/the-fall-of-hyperion/sol-remembered-the.md)

Topics: [love](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/love.md), [loyalty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loyalty.md)

> He too, liked his party, and was fond of loyal men; but he had learned at last that all loyalty must be built on a basis of self-advantage. Patriotism may exist without it, but that which Erie called loyalty in politics was simply devotion to the side which a man conceives to be his side, and which he cannot leave without danger to himself.

[Anthony Trollope](https://www.leafyquotes.com/anthony-trollope.md) · [Phineas Redux](https://www.leafyquotes.com/anthony-trollope/phineas-redux.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/anthony-trollope/phineas-redux/he-too-liked.md)

Topics: [politics](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/politics.md), [loyalty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loyalty.md)

> I don’t question your loyalty, Skade. I just wonder exactly what it is you’re loyal to.

[Alastair Reynolds](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alastair-reynolds.md) · [Redemption Ark](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alastair-reynolds/redemption-ark.md) · p. 540 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alastair-reynolds/redemption-ark/i-dont-question.md)

Topics: [loyalty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loyalty.md)

> The intensity of Melissa’s loyalty troubled Snake. She had never known anyone who was so completely oblivious to self-interest. Perhaps Melissa could not yet think of herself as someone with a right to her own dreams; perhaps so many of her dreams had been taken from her that she no longer dared to have them.

[Vonda N. McIntyre](https://www.leafyquotes.com/vonda-n-mcintyre.md) · [Dreamsnake](https://www.leafyquotes.com/vonda-n-mcintyre/dreamsnake.md) · p. 224 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/vonda-n-mcintyre/dreamsnake/the-intensity-of-melissas.md)

Topics: [dreams and aspirations](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/dreams-and-aspirations.md), [loyalty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loyalty.md)

> One act I will never stand for is leaving our fellows behind. Bugger military protocol, or lofty notions of honour. I can't live with running out on a pal, and I won't let any of you do it either.

[Steven Pressfield](https://www.leafyquotes.com/steven-pressfield.md) · [Killing Rommel](https://www.leafyquotes.com/steven-pressfield/killing-rommel.md) · p. 60 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/steven-pressfield/killing-rommel/one-act-i-will.md)

Topics: [friendship](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/friendship.md), [loyalty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loyalty.md)

> “Men are men, vows are words, and words are wind. You should put guards around the women.”
>
> “And who will guard the guards?”

[George RR Martin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin.md) · [A Dance with Dragons](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-dance-with-dragons.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-dance-with-dragons/men-are-men.md)

Topics: [trust](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/trust.md), [loyalty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loyalty.md)

> You can buy a man with gold, but only blood and steel will keep him true.

[George RR Martin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin.md) · [A Dance with Dragons](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-dance-with-dragons.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-dance-with-dragons/you-can-buy.md)

Topics: [money](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/money.md), [loyalty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loyalty.md)

> There have always been men who found it easier to speak vows than to keep them.

[George RR Martin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin.md) · [A Feast for Crows](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-feast-for-crows.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-feast-for-crows/there-have-always.md)

Topics: [hypocrisy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hypocrisy.md), [loyalty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loyalty.md)

> The faithful dog is kicked, and no matter how the spider weaves, he is never loved.

[George RR Martin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin.md) · [A Storm of Swords](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-storm-of-swords.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-storm-of-swords/the-faithful-dog.md)

Topics: [loyalty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loyalty.md)

> No promise was as solemn as one sworn to the dead.

[George RR Martin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin.md) · [A Feast for Crows](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-feast-for-crows.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-feast-for-crows/no-promise-was.md)

Topics: [grief](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/grief.md), [loyalty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loyalty.md)

> "Our honor means no more than our lives, so long as the realm is safe. Are you a man of the Night's Watch?"
>
> "Yes, but–"
>
> "There is no but. You are, or you are not."

[George RR Martin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin.md) · [A Clash of Kings](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/our-honor-means.md)

Topics: [loyalty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loyalty.md)

> The only way to keep people loyal is to make sure they fear you more than the enemy.

[George RR Martin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin.md) · [A Clash of Kings](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/the-only-way.md)

Topics: [power](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/power.md), [fear](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/fear.md), [loyalty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loyalty.md)

> King is only a word, but fealty, loyalty, service ... those I must have.

[George RR Martin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin.md) · [A Clash of Kings](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-clash-of-kings/king-is-only.md)

Topics: [loyalty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loyalty.md)

> "Ah, but when the queen proclaims one king and the Hand another, whose peace do they protect?" Lord Petyr flicked at the dagger with his finger, setting it spinning in place. When at last it slowed to a stop, the blade pointed at Littlefinger. "Why, there's your answer. They follow the man who pays them."

[George RR Martin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin.md) · [A Game of Thrones: The Illustrated Edition](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-game-of-thrones-the-illustrated-edition.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-game-of-thrones-the-illustrated-edition/ah-but-when.md)

Topics: [money](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/money.md), [loyalty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loyalty.md)

> A man who fights for coin is loyal only to his purse.

[George RR Martin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin.md) · [A Game of Thrones: The Illustrated Edition](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-game-of-thrones-the-illustrated-edition.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-rr-martin/a-game-of-thrones-the-illustrated-edition/a-man-who.md)

Topics: [money](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/money.md), [loyalty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loyalty.md)

> No one had ever come for him... not his mom, not his dad, not his brother, not a dozen people who he'd called his friends back in his town on the coast, not a one of them had ever come looking for him, trying to get him back. They'd just let him go. That was the difference. But this castoff cripple-hand civvy girl had come all the way in. Ocho scowled down at her limp body. See what loyalty gets you? See?

[Paolo Bacigalupi](https://www.leafyquotes.com/paolo-bacigalupi.md) · [The Drowned Cities](https://www.leafyquotes.com/paolo-bacigalupi/the-drowned-cities.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/paolo-bacigalupi/the-drowned-cities/no-one-had.md)

Topics: [loyalty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loyalty.md)

> “Morality is an axis that doesn’t interest us,” Mraize said calmly. “Only loyalty and power are relevant, for morality is as ephemeral as the changing weather. It depends upon the angle from which you view it.”

[Brandon Sanderson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/brandon-sanderson.md) · [Oathbringer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/brandon-sanderson/oathbringer.md) · p. 231 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/brandon-sanderson/oathbringer/morality-is-an-axis.md)

Topics: [power](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/power.md), [morality](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/morality.md), [loyalty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loyalty.md)

> Harry Dresden: I don't care about whose DNA has recombined with whose. When everything goes to hell, the people who stand by you without flinching - they are your family.

[Jim Butcher](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jim-butcher.md) · [Proven Guilty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jim-butcher/proven-guilty.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jim-butcher/proven-guilty/harry-dresden-i-dont.md)

Topics: [friendship](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/friendship.md), [family](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/family.md), [loyalty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loyalty.md)

> "I always thought being a Shadowhunter meant that I had to approve of what the Clave did. I thought otherwise I wasn't loyal. I made excuses for them. I always have. But I feel like whenever we have to fight, we're fighting a war on two fronts. We fight the enemy and we fight the Clave, too. I don't--I just don't know how I feel anymore."

[Cassandra Clare](https://www.leafyquotes.com/cassandra-clare.md) · [City of Heavenly Fire](https://www.leafyquotes.com/cassandra-clare/city-of-heavenly-fire.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/cassandra-clare/city-of-heavenly-fire/i-always-thought.md)

Topics: [doubt](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/doubt.md), [loyalty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loyalty.md)

> I was not at the time well enough acquainted with Caspakian ways to know that truthfulness and loyalty are two of the strongest characteristics of these primitive people. They are not sufficiently cultured to have become adept in hypocrisy, treason and dissimulation. There are, of course, a few exceptions.

[Edgar Rice Burroughs](https://www.leafyquotes.com/edgar-rice-burroughs.md) · [The People That Time Forgot](https://www.leafyquotes.com/edgar-rice-burroughs/the-people-that-time-forgot.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/edgar-rice-burroughs/the-people-that-time-forgot/i-was-not.md)

Topics: [hypocrisy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hypocrisy.md), [honesty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/honesty.md), [loyalty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loyalty.md)

> Whatever my husband's faults may be, it can only aggravate the evil for me to hear them from a stranger's lips.

[Anne Brontë](https://www.leafyquotes.com/anne-bronte.md) · [The Tenant of Wildfell Hall](https://www.leafyquotes.com/anne-bronte/the-tenant-of-wildfell-hall.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/anne-bronte/the-tenant-of-wildfell-hall/whatever-my-husbands.md)

Topics: [marriage](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/marriage.md), [gossip](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gossip.md), [loyalty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loyalty.md)

> How far do we owe loyalty to our creators’ dream? When have we earned the right to dream for ourselves?

[David Brin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-brin.md) · [Glory Season](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-brin/glory-season.md) · p. 442 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-brin/glory-season/how-far-do-we-owe.md)

Topics: [dreams and aspirations](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/dreams-and-aspirations.md), [loyalty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loyalty.md)

> Totalitarianism in power invariably replaces all first-rate talents, regardless of their sympathies, with those crackpots and fools whose lack of intelligence and creativity is still the best guarantee of their loyalty.

[Hannah Arendt](https://www.leafyquotes.com/hannah-arendt.md) · [The Origins of Totalitarianism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/hannah-arendt/the-origins-of-totalitarianism.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/hannah-arendt/the-origins-of-totalitarianism/totalitarianism-in-power.md)

Topics: [totalitarianism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/totalitarianism.md), [loyalty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loyalty.md)

> “He complains that I don’t really understand the importance of it all. He thinks my loyalties are sometimes divided.” They were quite a long way behind the men. Mitzi smirked. “Of course, that’s impossible. I haven’t any loyalties at all.”

[Michael Moorcock](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michael-moorcock.md) · [The Condition of Muzak](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michael-moorcock/the-condition-of-muzak.md) · p. 681 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michael-moorcock/the-condition-of-muzak/he-complains-that.md)

Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [loyalty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loyalty.md)

> [Concerning river runners:] If we were going into war again I can't think of any I'd rather have on our side. I mean, all of these good men and women. And if they were on the other side I'd join the other side.

[Edward Abbey](https://www.leafyquotes.com/edward-abbey.md) · [Down the River](https://www.leafyquotes.com/edward-abbey/down-the-river.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/edward-abbey/down-the-river/concerning-river-runners.md)

Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [loyalty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loyalty.md)

> “The mission I am on overrides all personal debts and loyalties.”
>
> “If so,” said the stranger with fierce certainty, “it is an immoral mission.”

[Ursula K. Le Guin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ursula-k-le-guin.md) · [The Left Hand of Darkness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ursula-k-le-guin/the-left-hand-of-darkness.md) · p. 104 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ursula-k-le-guin/the-left-hand-of-darkness/the-mission-i.md)

Topics: [morality](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/morality.md), [loyalty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loyalty.md)

> “The Empress expects obedience of her servants, and demands loyalty.”
>
> “Any reasonable ruler would have the expectation and the demand the other way round.”

[Steven Erikson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/steven-erikson.md) · [Gardens Of The Moon](https://www.leafyquotes.com/steven-erikson/gardens-of-the-moon.md) · p. 90 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/steven-erikson/gardens-of-the-moon/the-empress-expects.md)

Topics: [power](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/power.md), [loyalty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loyalty.md)

> They call me a renegade.
>
> The epithet is inaccurate and undeserved. I cannot be faithless to a cause which I never have endorsed. Indeed, I am absolutely faithful to the only cause I espouse, which is my own welfare. I take pride in this unswerving loyalty!

[Jack Vance](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-vance.md) · [The Green Pearl](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-vance/the-green-pearl.md) · p. 418 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-vance/the-green-pearl/they-call-me-a-renegade.md)

Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [selfishness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/selfishness.md), [loyalty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loyalty.md)

> There is a saying that bad traders divorce their spouse sooner than abandon their positions. Loyalty to ideas is not a good thing for traders, scientists - or anyone.

[Nassim Nicholas Taleb](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nassim-nicholas-taleb.md) · [Fooled by Randomness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nassim-nicholas-taleb/fooled-by-randomness.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nassim-nicholas-taleb/fooled-by-randomness/there-is-a-saying.md)

Topics: [beliefs](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/beliefs.md), [loyalty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loyalty.md)

> It was worth a wound; it was worth many wounds; to know the depth of loyalty and love which lay behind that cold mask. The clear, hard eyes were dimmed for a moment, and the firm lips were shaking. For the one and only time I caught a glimpse of a great heart as well as of a great brain. All my years of humble but single-minded service culminated in that moment of revelation.

[Arthur Conan Doyle](https://www.leafyquotes.com/arthur-conan-doyle.md) · [The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes](https://www.leafyquotes.com/arthur-conan-doyle/the-case-book-of-sherlock-holmes.md) · p. 1053 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/arthur-conan-doyle/the-case-book-of-sherlock-holmes/it-was-worth.md)

Topics: [friendship](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/friendship.md), [loyalty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loyalty.md)

> What you of the CHOAM directorate seem unable to understand is that you seldom find real loyalties in commerce. When did you last hear of a clerk giving his life for the company? Perhaps your deficiency rests in the false assumption that you can order men to think and cooperate. This has been a failure of everything from religions to general staffs throughout history. General staffs have a long record of destroying their own nations. As to religions, I recommend a rereading of Thomas Aquinas. As to you of CHOAM, what nonsense you believe! Men must want to do things of their own innermost drives. People, not commercial organizations or chains of command, are what make great civilizations work. Every civilization depends upon the quality of the individuals it produces. If you over-organize humans, over-legalize them, suppress their urge to greatness — they cannot work and their civilization collapses.

[Frank Herbert](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert.md) · [Children Of Dune](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert/children-of-dune.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert/children-of-dune/what-you-of-the.md)

Topics: [civilization](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/civilization.md), [loyalty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loyalty.md), [trade](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/trade.md)

> Human history can be viewed as a slowly dawning awareness that we are members of a larger group. Initially our loyalties were to ourselves and our immediate family, next, to bands of wandering hunter-gatherers, then to tribes, small settlements, city-states, nations. We have broadened the circle of those we love. We have now organized what are modestly described as super-powers, which include groups of people from divergent ethnic and cultural backgrounds working in some sense together — surely a humanizing and character building experience. If we are to survive, our loyalties must be broadened further, to include the whole human community, the entire planet Earth. Many of those who run the nations will find this idea unpleasant. They will fear the loss of power. We will hear much about treason and disloyalty. Rich nation-states will have to share their wealth with poor ones. But the choice, as H. G. Wells once said in a different context, is clearly the universe or nothing.

[Carl Sagan](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-sagan.md) · [Cosmos](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-sagan/cosmos.md) · p. 339 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-sagan/cosmos/human-history-can.md)

Topics: [human nature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/human-nature.md), [survival](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/survival.md), [loyalty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loyalty.md)

> Love does not aim simply at the conscious good of the beloved object: it is not satisfied without perfect loyalty of heart; it aims at its own completeness.

[George Eliot](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-eliot.md) · [Romola](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-eliot/romola.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-eliot/romola/love-does-not.md)

Topics: [love](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/love.md), [loyalty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loyalty.md)

> Camilo (Cienfuegos) was the subject of a thousand anecdotes; he created them naturally wherever he went. To his ease of manner, always appreciated by the people, he added a personality that naturally and almost unconsciously put the stamp of Camilo on everything connected with him. Few men have succeeded in leaving on every action such a distinctive personal mark. As Fidel has said, he did not have culture from books; he had the natural intelligence of the people, who had chosen him out of thousands for a privileged position on account of the audacity of his blows, his tenacity, his intelligence, and unequalled devotion. Camilo practiced loyalty like a religion.

[Ernesto Che Guevara](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ernesto-che-guevara.md) · [Guerrilla Warfare](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ernesto-che-guevara/guerrilla-warfare.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ernesto-che-guevara/guerrilla-warfare/camilo-cienfuegos-was.md)

Topics: [character](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/character.md), [loyalty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loyalty.md)