Throughout man’s history the value of loyalty has always been evasive.

It requires an emotional commitment to relationships with family, friends, religions, nations, organisations, working places, and romantic partners.

This faithful dedication of honesty, trust, and support is challenged by other instincts more dominant, thus comprised by integrity or responsibility.

While loyalty is an important trait, scientists have pin-pointed with some precision a genetic reason why some may find it easier to remain faithful. Several genes help maintain a sense of loyalty, while others, weak and idle, may get more support for other genes like vanity or self-interest.

Greed is the insatiable desire for material gain — food, money, land, possessions, status, and power. The power of loyalty has been conferred by nature upon few; the effort is often too great to willingly endure. It fails when exploited or abused.

Man would succumb to the first temptation or opportunity. The first example is the test of Adam and Eve. She succumbed to Satan, he was tempted by Eve; both were disloyal and fell from grace.

Could humankind had still be successful without a test of loyalty?

“And thus the whirligig of time brings in his revenges.” The consequences of Adam’s sin continue to this day. The human race also reaps what it sows.

The spectacle of history illustrates the themes and schemes of loyalties failed. The fall of Adam is but a prelude to what followed. The aesthetic pleasures afforded by baser instincts have the courage to ruthless sacrifices over one’s own amour-propre.

Stories of paramount importance are part of the drama of human nature or human frailty.

Admittedly, accounts of faithful and loyal people are littered in history, but are subservient to excitement and intrigue. The mosaics of immoral behaviour focus on a parade of sinners like Cain and Abel, Samson and Delilah, Caesar and Brutus, narratives that live and endure in the records of infidelity and dishonour.

The self has eclipsed the society, be it groups or individuals. True friendship, dependable and steadfast, are rare gems in any age. How rare are the friends who walk in when the rest walk out.

Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, and other classics as well as modern authors have depicted tales, whether fictitious or authentic, which revolve around the primary theme of deceit and treachery. Is it perhaps to warn us against duplicity and perfidy, or is it a mirror of how society behaves?

The word “betrayal” evokes experiences of human mendacity and hypocrisy, breaking confidences, failure to defend us, or gossiping about us.

Intentional behaviour committed with the purpose of hurting or damaging can reach to killing those near and dear. Again history tells us of matricides, patricides, and what they call filicides, sororicides and uxoricides and so forth. Is anyone free from danger?

 The problem of monogamous relationships is complex, common, and continuous. Loyalty implies a faithfulness that is steadfast in the face of any temptation. It is not to renounce, desert or betray. It is being there through the highs and lows, staying by each other’s side regardless of circumstances, never threatening to leave when things become challenging. It requires an emotional commitment that engenders a sense of identity.

Weathering storms together, providing support, and sticking them out are praiseworthy.

It has not always been so. More freedom and less principles are often beyond the bounds of possibility. “It is required in stewards that a man be found faithful.” Fidelity to one spouse for life is enticing, yet champions have defied the odds, building the human race.

Is loyalty a moral category? Scientists and societies have grappled with betrayal, disloyalty, and treason for centuries. “Our man’s traitor is another man’s hero.” This duplicitous concept has lived on notwithstanding those highly charged morals.

With betrayal lurking around humble and rich corridors, man’s instincts overpower self-interest. Better find a safe companion from the animal kingdom. “If you want to know the truth, animals never betray anyone. Only people betray.”

Loyalties of creatures is an understatement, “they come from some heavenly planet or universe where love is the only spoken language.”

Scientists have observed extraordinary bonds formed between various species and their human counterparts.

From dogs and cats to horses, elephants, and dolphins, we delve into research studies that reveal how many species have incredible ability to remember and distinguish people and their depth of intelligence. Various animals have co-existed in the wild, often relying on each other for survival. Such relationships are deeply rooted in biology evolution throughout millennia.

Known as Man’s Best Friend, a dog is the most popular pet worldwide, followed by cats, fish, birds, rodents, and others. Dogs’ most defining trait is their loyalty, which can be overwhelming and humbling. So deep is their loyalty they have been called an example of what humans can learn from dogs.

If dogs are loved and cared for, they put their own lives in danger to protect their companions. Such love is stronger and far more loyal. “Once they love you, it’s forever.”

“I would rather be in company of my dogs than with humans. They will never leave you.”

The most iconic example of companionship is the story of Hachito, the loyal dog, who used to greet his owner at the train station after work. He continued to wait for him for nine years after he died. This is pure love.

Marilyn Monroe once lamented: “Dogs never bite me, just humans.”

 

“I wonder men dare trust themselves with men.”

William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

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* A version of this article appears in print in the 15 August, 2024 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly