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

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

Charm strikes the sight, but merit wins the soul.

Charm strikes the sight, but merit wins the soul.

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

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

On their own merits modest men are dumb.

On their own merits modest men are dumb.

True merit, like a river, the deeper it is, the less noise it makes.

True merit, like a river, the deeper it is, the less noise it makes.

There is merit without elevation, but there is no elevation
without some merit.
[Fr., Il y a du read more

There is merit without elevation, but there is no elevation
without some merit.
[Fr., Il y a du merite sans elevation mais il n'y a point
d'elevation sans quelque merite.]

By merit raised
To that bad eminence.

By merit raised
To that bad eminence.

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.

If you wish in this world to advance your merits you're bound to enhance; you must stir it and stump read more

If you wish in this world to advance your merits you're bound to enhance; you must stir it and stump it, and blow your own trumpet, or, trust me, you haven't a chance.