--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Loyalty is a good for the loyal man; but…" description: "\"Loyalty is a good for the loyal man; but it may be mischievous for those whom his cause assails.\" — Josiah Royce" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b6/josiah-royce-15505_causes_loyalty-is-a-good-for-the-loyal-man-but_1633208.png" --- # Loyalty is a good for the loyal man; but it may be… ![“Loyalty is a good for the loyal man; but it may be mischievous for those whom his cause assails.” quote by Josiah Royce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b6/josiah-royce-15505_causes_loyalty-is-a-good-for-the-loyal-man-but_1633208.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b6/josiah-royce-15505_causes_loyalty-is-a-good-for-the-loyal-man-but_1633208.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b6/josiah-royce-15505_causes_loyalty-is-a-good-for-the-loyal-man-but_1633208.png) > “Loyalty is a good for the loyal man; but it may be mischievous for those whom his cause assails.” [Josiah Royce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josiah-royce/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Loyalty can be virtuous for the loyal but harmful when it supports unjust causes. **In simple terms:** Loyalty may be good or bad. Key Takeaway Evaluate the cause before being loyal. Themes loyalty ethics justice Mood critical thoughtful Type ethical philosophical When to use this quote - political activism - organizational allegiance - personal relationships - social movements Key Concepts moral relativism cause alignment Questions to Reflect On - Is the cause just? - When should loyalty be withdrawn? A Different Perspective Blind loyalty can perpetuate injustice. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Causes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/causes/) [Good Loyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-loyal-503295/) [Loyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loyal/) [Loyal Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loyal-man-503294/) [Loyalty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loyalty/) [Loyalty Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loyalty-good-503293/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Mischievous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mischievous/) [Mischievous Cause](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mischievous-cause-503296/) ## Related quotes > [Don't get me wrong, I'm very good, I'm a loyal person and I would never treat anyone badly - what goes around comes around.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kierston-wareing/don-t-get-me-wrong-i-m-very-good-i-m-a-loyal-person-and-i-would-never/) [Kierston Wareing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kierston-wareing/) > [To be sure, the dog is loyal. But why, on that account, should we take him as an example? He is loyal to man,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/to-be-sure-the-dog-is-loyal-but-why-on-that-account-should-we-take/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) > [I WANT GF I KNOW SHE IS VERY LUCKY GIRL WHO CHOSE ME BCOZ I M SO LOYAL MAN](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/br0k3n-h3art/i-want-gf-i-know-she-is-very-lucky-girl-who-chose-me-bcoz-i-m-so/) [Br0k3n\_h3Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/br0k3n-h3art/) > [I am a serious man, a loyal man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claudio-ranieri/i-am-a-serious-man-a-loyal-man/) [Claudio Ranieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claudio-ranieri/) > [I am a very loyal man and always keep my promises when I commit to something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-heughan/i-am-a-very-loyal-man-and-always-keep-my-promises-when-i-commit-to/) [Sam Heughan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-heughan/) > [The scholar does not consider gold and jade to be precious treasures, but loyalty and good faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-scholar-does-not-consider-gold-and-jade-to-be-precious-treasures/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [I've always felt that having a garden is like having a good and loyal friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-z-guest/i-ve-always-felt-that-having-a-garden-is-like-having-a-good-and-loyal/) [C. Z. Guest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-z-guest/) > [In my relationship, I only need four things : 1. Trust 2. Loyalty 3. Good Communication 4. Good Sex](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-my-relationship-i-only-need-four-things-1-trust-2-loyalty-3-good/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Dogs are geniuses of loyalty. And that is a good kind of genius to have.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-haig/dogs-are-geniuses-of-loyalty-and-that-is-a-good-kind-of-genius-to-have/) [Matt Haig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-haig/) > [“Dessie's friends were good and loyal but they were human, and humans love to feel good and they hate to feel bad.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/dessie-s-friends-were-good-and-loyal-but-they-were-human-and-humans/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“My husband is the most loyal man on the planet until he’s not.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-flynn/my-husband-is-the-most-loyal-man-on-the-planet-until-he-s-not/) [Gillian Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-flynn/) > [As the dog becomes thoroughbred in the laws of clan and caste; obedient, fraternal and loyal; so is the man who accepts the gentleman's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gelett-burgess/as-the-dog-becomes-thoroughbred-in-the-laws-of-clan-and-caste/) [Gelett Burgess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gelett-burgess/) > [I am a loyal man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claudio-ranieri/i-am-a-loyal-man/) [Claudio Ranieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claudio-ranieri/) > [In terms of partying and reckless abandon, I'm Don Juan. But, in terms of my heart, I'm the most loyal man you'll ever meet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhys-ifans/in-terms-of-partying-and-reckless-abandon-i-m-don-juan-but-in-terms/) [Rhys Ifans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhys-ifans/) > [“Felines are probably more loyal than a man.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-hatler/felines-are-probably-more-loyal-than-a-man/) [Susan Hatler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-hatler/) ## More by Josiah Royce > [Life involves passions, faiths, doubts, and courage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josiah-royce/life-involves-passions-faiths-doubts-and-courage/) [Josiah Royce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josiah-royce/) > [Interfere with the reality of my world, and you therefore take the very life and heart out of my will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josiah-royce/interfere-with-the-reality-of-my-world-and-you-therefore-take-the/) [Josiah Royce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josiah-royce/) > [Religious faith, indeed, relates to that which is above us, but it must arise from that which is within us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josiah-royce/religious-faith-indeed-relates-to-that-which-is-above-us-but-it-must/) [Josiah Royce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josiah-royce/) > [But you are alone. Yet I never tell what you are. And if your face lights up my world as no other can -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josiah-royce/but-you-are-alone-yet-i-never-tell-what-you-are-and-if-your-face/) [Josiah Royce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josiah-royce/) > [A crowd, whether it be a dangerous mob, or an amiably joyous gathering at a picnic is not a community. It has a mind,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josiah-royce/a-crowd-whether-it-be-a-dangerous-mob-or-an-amiably-joyous-gathering/) [Josiah Royce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josiah-royce/) > [Ideas any one can mould as he wishes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josiah-royce/ideas-any-one-can-mould-as-he-wishes/) [Josiah Royce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josiah-royce/) > [As for you, my beloved friend, I loyally believe in your uniqueness; but whenever I try to tell to you wherein it consists, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josiah-royce/as-for-you-my-beloved-friend-i-loyally-believe-in-your-uniqueness-but/) [Josiah Royce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josiah-royce/) > [This preparatory sort of idealism is the one that, as I just suggested, Berkeley made prominent, and, after a fashion familiar. I must state…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josiah-royce/this-preparatory-sort-of-idealism-is-the-one-that-as-i-just-suggested/) [Josiah Royce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josiah-royce/) > [The world, as transformed by this creative deed, is better than it would have been had all else remained the same, but had that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josiah-royce/the-world-as-transformed-by-this-creative-deed-is-better-than-it/) [Josiah Royce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josiah-royce/) > [Only the more uncompromising of the mystics still seek for knowledge in a silent land of absolute intuition, where the intellect finally lays down…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josiah-royce/only-the-more-uncompromising-of-the-mystics-still-seek-for-knowledge/) [Josiah Royce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josiah-royce/) > [The other aspect of idealism is the one which gives us our notion of the absolute Self. To it the first is only preparatory.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josiah-royce/the-other-aspect-of-idealism-is-the-one-which-gives-us-our-notion-of/) [Josiah Royce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josiah-royce/) > [If I look to see what I ever did that, for all I now know, some other man might not have done, I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josiah-royce/if-i-look-to-see-what-i-ever-did-that-for-all-i-now-know-some-other/) [Josiah Royce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josiah-royce/) > [Men accept without questioning that this world is real and important and worthwhile. This is faith. Philosophy is the ongoing questioning of this faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josiah-royce/men-accept-without-questioning-that-this-world-is-real-and-important/) [Josiah Royce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josiah-royce/) > [So far as we live and strive at all, our lives are various, are needed for the whole, and are unique.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josiah-royce/so-far-as-we-live-and-strive-at-all-our-lives-are-various-are-needed/) [Josiah Royce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josiah-royce/) > [And just because God attains and wins and finds this uniqueness all our lives win in our union with him the individuality which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josiah-royce/and-just-because-god-attains-and-wins-and-finds-this-uniqueness-all/) [Josiah Royce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josiah-royce/) [Explore all 43 Josiah Royce quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josiah-royce/) ## More Causes quotes > [It appears to me that one great cause of our difference in opinion on subjects which we often discuss is that you have always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ricardo/it-appears-to-me-that-one-great-cause-of-our-difference-in-opinion-on/) [David Ricardo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ricardo/) > [I pray that wherever we are and whatever duties we have in the priesthood of God, we will be united in the cause to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/i-pray-that-wherever-we-are-and-whatever-duties-we-have-in-the/) [Henry B. Eyring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-b-eyring/) > [When you go to a club it's not about being black or white or heavy or thick. I'm shaking my ass because I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miley-cyrus/when-you-go-to-a-club-it-s-not-about-being-black-or-white-or-heavy-or/) [Miley Cyrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miley-cyrus/) > [Many patients imagine that they have tried everything. True, they have used many remedies, but they have never had the cause of their infirmity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-d-palmer/many-patients-imagine-that-they-have-tried-everything-true-they-have/) [Daniel D. Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-d-palmer/) > [Get out from that kitchen and rattle those pots and pans. Well, roll my breakfast cause I'm a hungry man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-joe-turner/get-out-from-that-kitchen-and-rattle-those-pots-and-pans-well-roll-my/) [Big Joe Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-joe-turner/) > [This duo inside of me causes the perfect opportunity to live and learn twice as fast as those who choose to accept simplicity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tupac-shakur/this-duo-inside-of-me-causes-the-perfect-opportunity-to-live-and/) [Tupac Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tupac-shakur/) > [Jobs and money are never the primary cause of stress. Thinking, negative thinking causes stress. The real cause of all problems lie in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/jobs-and-money-are-never-the-primary-cause-of-stress-thinking/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [God hides Himself behind causes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-rollin/god-hides-himself-behind-causes/) [Charles Rollin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-rollin/) > [Guns have little or nothing to do with juvenile violence. The causes of youth violence are working parents who put their kids into daycare,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-delay/guns-have-little-or-nothing-to-do-with-juvenile-violence-the-causes/) [Tom DeLay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-delay/) > [I don't wear rubbers cause you can't catch it twice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-norton/i-don-t-wear-rubbers-cause-you-can-t-catch-it-twice/) [Jim Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-norton/) > [I have no hesitation in saying that although the American woman never leaves her domestic sphere and is in some respects very dependent within…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-de-tocqueville/i-have-no-hesitation-in-saying-that-although-the-american-woman-never/) [Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-de-tocqueville/) > [Well the first time I performed, my mom was like how she is now when sees me on stage – all red, smiling from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-brown/well-the-first-time-i-performed-my-mom-was-like-how-she-is-now-when/) [Chris Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-brown/) > [I love a lot of things, a whole lot of things / Like / My cousin comes to visit and you know he's from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eloise-greenfield/i-love-a-lot-of-things-a-whole-lot-of-things-like-my-cousin-comes-to/) [Eloise Greenfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eloise-greenfield/) > [Many companies have long contended that stress in the home causes productivity loss in the market place.. and it does. But research now reveals…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zig-ziglar/many-companies-have-long-contended-that-stress-in-the-home-causes/) [Zig Ziglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zig-ziglar/) > [The miracle drugs (neuroleptics) cause the worst plague of brain damage in medical history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-breggin/the-miracle-drugs-neuroleptics-cause-the-worst-plague-of-brain-damage/) [Peter Breggin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-breggin/) [Browse all 9,070 Causes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/causes/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Loyalty is a good for the loyal man; but it may be mischievous for those whom his cause assails.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Josiah Royce" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josiah-royce/loyalty-is-a-good-for-the-loyal-man-but-it-may-be-mischievous-for/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Causes" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josiah-royce/loyalty-is-a-good-for-the-loyal-man-but-it-may-be-mischievous-for/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b6/josiah-royce-15505_causes_loyalty-is-a-good-for-the-loyal-man-but_1633208.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b6/josiah-royce-15505_causes_loyalty-is-a-good-for-the-loyal-man-but_1633208.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b6/josiah-royce-15505_causes_loyalty-is-a-good-for-the-loyal-man-but_1633208.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Loyalty is a good for the loyal man; but it may be mischievous for those whom his cause assails.” — Josiah Royce", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Josiah Royce", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josiah-royce/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Loyalty is a good for the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josiah-royce/loyalty-is-a-good-for-the-loyal-man-but-it-may-be-mischievous-for/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josiah-royce/loyalty-is-a-good-for-the-loyal-man-but-it-may-be-mischievous-for/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```