Nothing appears more surprising to those who consider human affairs with a philosophical eye than the easiness with which the many are governed by the few, and the implicit submission with which men resign their own sentiments and passions to those of their rulers.

Loyalty is the acceptance of bonds that our relationships with others entail, and acting in a way that defends and reinforces the attachment inherent in these relationships. It is “the cornerstone of stability in all our relationships.” One can be loyal to many: friend, lover, family, community, employer, country, etc. Some loyalties could be more important to an individual than others. Simply put, loyalty is the counterpart of the word ‘my’, said Timothy Keininham and Lerzan Aksoy.1 Loyalty to an organization is more abstract than loyalty to a friend or family. This emanates mostly from our friendship with colleagues, and it is this loyalty to our colleagues and friends in the organization that serves as the glue between us and the organization. Timothy Keininham and Lerzan Aksoy identify yet another reason for loyalty towards organizations: it is the “need to accomplish something, and to be a part of something larger than ourselves. It indeed supports our view of ourselves within the society.” No matter whether it is loyalty towards a friend or lover, or towards an organization, to be loyal, one needs to have commitment—emotional bond. But mere commitment is not enough to prove that one is loyal, for loyalty demands recognition of the bonds that one has with the other and action that reinforces those bonds. Which is why loyalty is action—action that strengthens the bondage. It is only when commitment transforms into action that loyalty comes into existence.

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