On their own merits modest men are dumb.

On their own merits modest men are dumb.

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 world more often rewards the appearances of merit than merit itself.

The world more often rewards the appearances of merit than merit itself.

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.

The favor of princes does not preclude the existence of merit,
and yet does not prove that it exists.
read more

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.]

The more merit, the less affection

The more merit, the less affection

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.

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.