Nature creates merit, and fortune brings it into play.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
There’s a proud modesty in merit; averse from asking, and resolved to pay ten times the gifts it asks.
—John Dryden (1631–1700) English Poet, Literary Critic, Playwright
Elevation is to merit what dress is to a handsome person.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
Arrogance on the part of the meritorious is even more offensive to us than the arrogance of those without merit: for merit itself is offensive.
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) German Philosopher, Scholar, Writer
Mere bashfulness without merit, is awkward; and merit without modesty, insolent. But modest merit has a double claim to acceptance, and generally meets with as many patrons as beholders.
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
It is more honorable to be raised to a throne than to be born to one. Fortune bestows the one, merit obtains the other.
—Petrarch (1304–74) Italian Scholar, Poet, Humanist
The force of his own merit makes his way, a gift that heaven gives for him.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
‘Tis not in mortals to command success, But we’ll do more, for we’ll deserve it.
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
The best evidence of merit is the cordial recognition of it whenever and wherever it may be found.
—Christian Nestell Bovee (1820–1904) American Writer, Aphorist
He who has done meritorious deeds rejoices both in his present life and in the hereafter. In his present life he rejoices that he has done good deeds. In the hereafter he will rejoice all the more.
—Buddhist Teaching
Let a man not look down upon a small amount of good deeds, thinking that is will not bear fruit. This can be represented as a water-pot which can be filled by the dripping of water. A wise man, gradually accumulating his merits, will at length attain its perfection.
—Buddhist Teaching
Merit is never so conspicuous as when coupled with an obscure origin, just as the moon never appears so lustrous as when it emerges from a cloud.
—Christian Nestell Bovee (1820–1904) American Writer, Aphorist
We can perceive the difference between ourselves and our inferiors, but when it comes to a question of the difference between us and our superiors we fail to appreciate merits of which we have no preconceptions.
—James Fenimore Cooper (1789–1851) American Novelist
Speak little and well if you wish to be esteemed a person of merit.
—French Proverb
The world more frequently recompenses the appearance of merit, than merit itself.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
I will not be concerned at other men’s not knowing me; I will be concerned at my own want of ability.
—Confucius (551–479 BCE) Chinese Philosopher
We should not judge of a man’s merits by his great qualities, but by the use he makes of them.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
It never occurs to fools that merit and good fortune are closely united.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Beauties in vain their pretty eyes may roll; charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul.
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744) English Poet
Merit is often an obstacle to fortune; the reason is it produces two bad effects, envy and fear.
—Common Proverb
The sufficiency of my merit is to know that my merit is not sufficient.
—Augustine of Hippo (354–430) Roman-African Christian Philosopher
There is merit without elevation, but there is no elevation without some merit.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
If you wish your merit to be known,
acknowledge that of other people.
—Eastern Proverb
I am told so many ill things of a man, and I see so few in him, that I began to suspect he has a real but troublesome merit, as being likely too eclipse that of others.
—Jean de La Bruyere (1645–96) French Satiric Moralist, Author
An ingenuous mind feels in unmerited praise the bitterest reproof.
—Walter Savage Landor (1775–1864) English Writer, Poet
O, that estates, degrees, and offices were not derived corruptly, and that clear honor were purchased by the merit of the wearer.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Contemporaries appreciate the man rather than his merit; posterity will regard the merit rather than the man.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
Towers are measured by their shadows, and men of merit by those who are envious of them.
—Chinese Proverb
Just as a companion (one who does not desert his friend) becomes a real friend of him who is in need of help, so is the accumulated merit to the person in the hereafter.
—Buddhist Teaching
The secret to success is to know something nobody else knows.
—Aristotle Onassis (1906–75) Argentine-Greek Shipping Magnate
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