Anthem Loyalty Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #7

"You fools!" we cried. "You fools! You thrice-damned fools! (7.50)

This is the moment when Equality 7-2521's faith in his society is destroyed, and he decides to leave it behind. He feels only rage here – mostly rage at their stupidity. After this, his loyalties will be fundamentally different.

Quote #8

We wish to be damned with you, rather than blessed with all our brothers. Do as you please with us, but do not send us away from you." (9.17)

Liberty 5-3000 has, like Equality 7-2521, lost all sense of loyalty to their society. However, she's abandoned her society for love of him, whereas he seemed to do it out of rage and love for his invention.

Quote #9

I am neither foe nor friend to my brothers, but such as each of them shall deserve of me. And to earn my love, my brothers must do more than to have been born. I do not grant my love without reason, nor to any chance passer-by who may wish to claim it. I honor men with my love. But honor is a thing to be earned. (11.13)

Now that he's free (and familiar with the first-person singular), Equality 7-2521 has discovered that he owes loyalty to no one except those he wants to be loyal to. Not to society, and certainly not to "all men." Instead, other people need to earn his loyalty – by becoming his friends.