Merit
Overview
 
The term merit constitutes a desirable trait or ability belonging to a person or (sometimes) an object.
Quotations

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.

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."

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

 
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