On their own merits modest men are dumb.

On their own merits modest men are dumb.

Reputation is an idle and most false imposition; oft got without merit, and lost without deserving.

Reputation is an idle and most false imposition; oft got without merit, and lost without deserving.

We start with gifts. Merit comes from what we make of them.

We start with gifts. Merit comes from what we make of them.

He merits no thanks who does a kindness for his own ends

He merits no thanks who does a kindness for his own ends

The favor of princes does not preclude the existence of merit,
and yet does not prove that it exists.
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The favor of princes does not preclude the existence of merit,
and yet does not prove that it exists.
[Fr., La faveur des princes n'exclut pas le merite, et ne le
suppose pas aussi.]

Charm strikes the sight, but merit wins the soul.

Charm strikes the sight, but merit wins the soul.

The more merit, the less affection

The more merit, the less affection

We should try to succeed by merit, not by favor. He who does
well will always have patrons enough.
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We should try to succeed by merit, not by favor. He who does
well will always have patrons enough.
[Lat., Virtute ambire oportet, non favitoribus.
Sat habet favitorum semper, qui recte facit.]

There's a proud modesty in merit; averse from asking, and resolved to pay ten times the gifts it asks.

There's a proud modesty in merit; averse from asking, and resolved to pay ten times the gifts it asks.