Ides of March quotes
The Ides of March, the anniversary of Julius Caesar's death, makes many people reflect on loyalty. A bust of Caesar is pictured on May 21, 2008 in Arles, France. Getty Images

Julius Caesar was assassinated on the Ides of March, March 15, in 44 B.C. and the story behind his death has become legendary. The Roman ruler was betrayed by Marcus Junius Brutus and dozens of other senators, so now the date is associated with betrayal and loyalty.

“Beware the Ides of March” is one of the most famous quotes associated with the day. It comes from William Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar,” but there are many other less ominous quotes about allegiance. Here are a few of our favorite lines about loyalty:

  • “Loyalty to petrified opinion never yet broke a chain or freed a human soul.” – Mark Twain
  • “What I value most in my friends is loyalty.” –David Mamet
  • “What is a disloyal act? A person is disloyal if he treats you as a stranger when, in fact, he belongs to you as a friend or partner. Each of us is bound to some special others by the invisible fibers of loyalty.” –Lewis B. Smedes
  • “My whole thing is loyalty. Loyalty over royalty; word is bond.” –Fetty Wap
  • “When people show loyalty to you, you take care of those who are with you. It's how it goes with everything. If you have a small circle of friends, and one of those friends doesn't stay loyal to you, they don’t stay your friend for very long.” –John Cena
  • “The whole point of loyalty was not to change: stick with those who stuck with you.” – Larry McMurtry, “Streets of Laredo”
  • “I belong to the people I love, and they belong to me – they, and the love and loyalty I give them, form my identity far more than any word or group ever could.” –Veronica Roth, “Allegiant”
  • “I always think loyalty's such a tiresome virtue.” – Agatha Christie, “Peril at End House”
  • “Loyalty is a two-way street. If I’m asking for it from you, then you’re getting it from me.” – Rick Muirragui, “Suits” Season 4, episode 13
  • “Loyalty is a 24 hour proposition, 24/7. It's not a part-time job.” – Jonathan Moyo
  • “The only honest reaction and true loyalty we get is from our animals. Once they’re your friends, you can do no wrong.” – Dick Van Patten

For more quotes, check out Brainy Quote, Notable Quote and Good Reads.

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