Integrity and Loyalty
The term “integrity” embodies the notions of sincerity, purity, and loyalty. It manifests in various forms throughout life, including dedication to work, steadfastness in friendships, and fidelity within family bonds. Integrity and loyalty are hallmark traits of successful and honest individuals. In this article, we will explore insightful reflections on integrity that relate to various aspects of life.
Notable Quotes on Integrity
- The thunder that accompanies no rain does not nourish the grass; likewise, work lacking integrity bears no fruitful benefits.
- Be sincere, and you shall achieve.
- Advice devoid of sincerity is like barren seeds; it does not sprout, and if it does, it grows as fake as its origin.
- Loyalty cannot be measured solely by what happens in front of you, but also by the actions that unfold behind your back.
- How can sincerity prevail if one is led by their own whims?
- Gratitude ensures the continuation of blessings, while integrity sustains nations, and transgressions lead to destruction.
- A love without integrity is like a building without a foundation.
- Sincerity and the love of praise and flattery cannot coexist in the heart.
- Many individuals possess a misguided notion of genuine happiness; it is not obtained through self-indulgence, but through commitment to a worthy cause.
- Working hard without sincerity is akin to a traveler burdening himself with sand that offers no advantage.
- To render sincerity impossible and then mourn its absence is folly.
- In sincerity lies the moment of salvation for eternity, yet sincerity is a rare commodity.
- The value of originality lies not in novelty but in sincerity.
- Attributes such as honesty, sincerity, simplicity, humility, generosity, the absence of arrogance, and the ability to serve others are accessible to every soul; they form the true foundation of our spiritual lives.
Messages about Integrity
Message One:
I pledge to remain your steadfast friend,
On the path of love, dear friend, we tread together.
O companion of affection,
You are a person who never accepts defeat.
We sail together without a captain,
Walking through a sea filled with longing.
With you, the sea and clouds are companions,
And we shall never part.
Message Two:
Loyalty is your nature, while I admit my shortcomings;
I apologize, even if I have no justification,
You hold a cherished place in my heart,
And your status will never diminish.
I vow never to forget you, dear one,
For you are the roots of my heart; how can a heart survive without roots?
Message Three:
When you are submerged, I will be there to bring you joy,
When you are weary, I will lift you up; I will be your friend,
No matter what happens…
How long will we stay friends?
Do you wish to know?
As long as the stars shine,
As long as the water flows,
As long as I live, we will remain friends.
Message Four:
If days do not unite us, memories will,
And if your eyes do not see me, your heart will not forget me.
Time will not alter my feelings,
And if my eyes do not see you, my heart will protect you,
And in my prayers, I will remember you. I love you, my friend.
Poetry on Loyalty
Poem: Where is the Loyalty?
This poignant poem, “Where is the Loyalty?” by the poet Jamal Morsy, born in Kafr el-Sheikh in 1957, is an esteemed member of the Egyptian literary community. He has published two poetry collections: “Exile” and “The Shells of the Sea and the Pearls of the Soul.” The essence of his poem revolves around the quest for steadfastness amidst life’s trials:
Where is the loyalty? I have severed the thread of hope,
And has it vanished from this vastness?
Where are the roots, deeply embedded,
In the soil that is steeped in deception?
I continue to shed bitter tears,
Being one who has not succumbed to sorrow.
Yet, time reveals to the world,
What stirs the caution of the wise.
I have tested it, only to find people in the dust,
And others in the valleys.
They have disappeared; no Pharaoh has immortalized himself,
Nor has any Qarun remained in the living.
Only the face of the one who ascends remains,
And his banner stands alone in the grand halls.
O heedless one, do not trust a world that has built,
In every district, columns of despair.
It occupies those who love it; one seeks wealth,
And another seeks fame.
And on its stages, the lustful indulge,
Between cups overflowing and beautiful women.
And the wise, who are undeterred,
By the pursuits of the free and the noble.
If lured by its beauty,
He shall not be captivated by its radiant charm.
He cloaks himself in chastity like a garment; how delightful it is.
I gazed upon the world and found no joy,
What brings peace to the eyes of the beholder?
I exhausted my efforts to confirm my thoughts,
I was wrong in my beliefs and my opinions.
But I found an answer from the sister of disappearance,
That wounds the heart and crushes the wise.
Friends, as if they were brought down by,
The wind of vanity and the grip of arrogance.
Each tells himself about himself,
“There is none before me, nor behind me.”
Oh, for a friend, his arrows, once directed,
Linger within, piercing the heart.
What a heavy betrayal it is for anyone,
Who mistook life to be a serene garden full of companions.
Then, death strikes, ruining his dreams,
From behind him with the daggers of desire.
O friends, be gentle with me, for I am only bearable,
With what I have endured in this adversity.
Loyalty has vanished, to the point that its existence,
Seems like an illusion, akin to the phoenix.
What is this world? A battleground of conflict,
Where blood is spilled to procure affection?
Or is it merely a marketplace for trading values,
With scant regard for humanity and purchase?
I believe in God, to whom the entire world bows,
And I open my hand in supplication.
If my heart were not lit by His light,
I would have despised my existence in this life.
Gone is Loyalty, Yet I Perceive Not Its Return
Written by Ibrahim ibn Muhammad Ibn Abdul Qadir Al-Mazni, the poet Ibrahim Al-Mazni was born in Egypt, hailing from Koom Mazin. He was particularly skilled in translating from English and was well-versed in Western literature. His poetry often reflects themes drawn from Western influences. He memorized Al-Mubarrad’s complete works during his youth and authored several books, with the most notable being: “The Grasp of the Wind,” “Harvesting the Kindling,” “The Box of the World,” “Journey to Hijaz,” and “The White English Book.” His poem “Gone is Loyalty, Yet I Perceive Not Its Return” echoes his poignant reflections:
Gone is loyalty; yet I sense it not.
And I see the guardians pretentious and deceitful.
To the wolf, since I trusted that I,
Am the clearest affection, while following the flood.
My dearest friends, wait awhile, for I have realized,
That the neighbors sever ties between the close ones.
Unless kindness brings you back,
Let it bring solace amidst our trials.
Unless kindness guides, refrain from belittling the sorrow,
That tears the heart between the ribs.
Grant me what is suitable from you, as you are a division,
Words shall alleviate the burdens of our distance.
Whenever I recollect the nights we shared,
The heart aches, and the soul is uplifted.
Allow me to speak; if distance disrupts us,
I find the echoes of love whirling within.
How seamless was its pact, how gentle its embrace,
Now it has vanished; poets linger on its praises.
Do not withhold joy, which is a natural inclination,
Just as the clouds retain water.
It does not suit a scowl; it’s a clear brightness,
Beauty smiles from its face and shines brightly.
I once hoped you would share with me,
A heart that stands by loyalty and sincerity.
Yet you stand like the sun that refuses its shine,
Eternal yet destined to fade away.
Remarkable Insights on Loyalty
- The generous individual fulfills his promise.
- Delay the promise but hurry the fulfillment.
- Love is a profound emotion; it merely requires someone who understands loyalty.
- The grand city thrives in knowledge, freedom, camaraderie, and loyalty.
- Loyalty is not measured solely by what is seen but also by actions behind one’s back.
- The slowest promise-makers are often the most conscientious in fulfilling them.
- Integrity only flourishes in its rightful places, and only those who show gratitude deserve loyalty.
- Generosity is given when available, while loyalty is realizing a promise.
- Loyalty is a trait of the noble; treachery belongs to the ignoble.
- A promise without fulfillment is enmity without cause.
- Sometimes the death of loyalty is a facet of wisdom.
- Keeping a secret is a mark of true loyalty.
- Never break a promise you cannot fulfill.
- Do not throw stones into the well from which you have drunk.
- If the olive tree remembered its planter, its oil would turn to tears.
- Loyalty and honesty attract sustenance.
- Flourishing requires adherence to loyalty, while adversity demands it.
- A woman does not mock love or scorn loyalty unless a man has disappointed her.
- Your speech reflects your position; do not demean it or promise more than you can fulfill.
- I have seen the noble avoid disgrace, and loyalty protects him against betrayal.