Loyalty

Undeniably my favorite virtue to find in people. Fierce, unshakable, and unashamed loyalty. Merriam-Webster calls it "unswerving allegiance." There's a beautiful feeling in the knowledge one can be depended on. Here are a five qualities of loyalty.

1. Loyalty is not always mutual- Sometimes a truly loyal person has to put there own betrayal aside and stay true regardless of whether or not the other party took on the same position. It's best exemplified with Naval Captain Stephen Decatur's quote, "Our country! In her intercourse with foreign nations may she always be in the right; but our country, right or wrong" or Civil War General Carl Schurz's elaboration, "My country, right or wrong; if right, to be kept right; and if wrong, to be set right" Look at it as a friend instead of a country here "...may she always be in the right, but our friend right or wrong." This does not mean you are accepting their behavior? Of course not! Which is why I like the add on of Schurz "...if right, to be kept right; if wrong, to be set right." Loyalty will be relentless in setting things right, no matter how much itself is wronged.

2. Loyalty is not ashamed- This is almost inserted as my soap box. It bugs me to no end to see those who will gladly act as your equal while you are alone, but when you both branch out among the powers that be, they will scarcely look in your direction or will sometimes even demean you. How unfortunate is the denial of a friend for fame, because one is more lasting than the other and I can assure you it isn't renown or fleeting popularity. Please all who read here, do not ever deny a friend, because they are priceless. Stay true and you will be rewarded.

3. Loyalty is selfless- It is on multiple occasions in the greatest show on earth, The Andy Griffith Show, that shrewd Sherriff Andy Taylor will rescue his Deputy Barney Fife from ever-impending embarassment. One of my favorite instances is where Andy and girlfriend Helen Crump find themselves trapped inside a cave. They eventually find there way out only to find that Barney has organized a search party. Instead of saying well he'll get over it eventually, they were both quick to change back into there dirtied clothes and hurry back into the cave to wait for his rescue. Also among his loyalties are turning down exclusive clubs that would not accept his socially un-savvy buddy and capturing a crook that Barney clumsily released in the first place and bestowing the credit to him instead of taking it for his own to save Barney's pride. This kind of loyalty is the most extreme. This is going the distance. This is being loyal far beyond just the person as the are, but to their feelings and each thing that affects them. It puts all personal gain aside for salvation of another in whatever way is at stake. (For more thoughts on T.V. shows, see http://theclassicmc.blogspot.com/2009/05/television-shows.html).

4. Loyalty is defensive- It isn't enough for a loyal person to stand my and cheer no matter how unshakeably they do so. Being a fan is only a sub-category of true loyalty. The real friend is in the battle hurdling antithesis at each degrading blow. Loyalty does not allow others to be hurt and will not be shy in making there opinion known on the matter. Consider the dog. Often a symbol for loyalty. Does a dog when his master is beset, merely stand by and bark? You and I both know that a faithful dog would gladly tear the assailants head off without any concern with personal safety.

5. Loyalty is constant- It does not take off days. It isn't only loyal when it is convenient for itself. When people argue against the contraversial theory of a innate Moral Law, there can be a dialogue that goes back and forth as follows: "How, sir, can you say there is no Moral Law when people do things, at times, that are good without any personal gain?" "Well to that I will say this, they do it at times to attract a mate who might be impressed with such virtuous chivalry and therefore there is personal gain." (This argument is discussed in further detail in C.S. Lewis's book Mere Christianity). You see loyalty cannot be like one who is trying to fish in a Gent or Damsel. It might be selfishly beneficial to fish in a mate for a time, but when a day comes where it pays to deny it is "so long Sally." No it must be present in the most unpleasant scenarios.

So there you have my favorite trait, I promise you Proverbs 19:22 speaks truth in saying, "Loyalty makes a person attractive." (NLT)