Merit Quotations

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On their own merits modest men are dumb.
- George Colman the Younger The Heir at Law (1808) epilogue

He who thinks to be justified by any strength or merit of his own, and not by faith, puts himself in the place of God.
- William Farel, reported in Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert, Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers (1895), p. 409.

Merit is a work for the sake of which Christ gives rewards. But no such work is to be found, for Christ gives by promise. Just as if a prince should say to me, "Come to me in my castle, and I will give you a hundred florins." I do a work, certainly, in going to the castle, but the gift is not given me as the reward of my work in going, but because the prince promised it to me.
- Martin Luther, reported in Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert, Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers (1895), p. 409.

A man is perhaps ungrateful, but often less chargeable with ingratitude than his benefactor is.
- François de La Rochefoucauld Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims (1665–1678) maxim 95

The art of being able to make a good use of moderate abilities wins esteem and often confers more reputation than real merit.
- Also translated as: "The art of using moderate abilities to advantage wins praise, and often acquires more reputation than real brilliancy."
- François de La Rochefoucauld Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims (1665–1678) maxim 162

The world oftener rewards the appearance of merit than merit itself.
- François de La Rochefoucauld Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims (1665–1678) maxim 166

There is merit without elevation, but there is no elevation without some merit.
- François de La Rochefoucauld Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims (1665–1678) maxim 400
- Also translated as: "There may be talent without position, but there is no position without some kind of talent."

Distinguished merit will ever rise to oppression, and will draw lustre from reproach. The vapors which gather round the rising sun, and follow him in his course, seldom fail at the close of it to form a magnificent theatre for his reception, and to invest with variegated tints and with a softened effulgence the luminary which they cannot hide.
- Robert Hall

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