On their own merits modest men are dumb.

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.

A man is perhaps ungrateful, but often less chargeable with ingratitude than his benefactor is.

The art of being able to make a good use of moderate abilities wins esteem and often confers more reputation than real merit.

The world oftener rewards the appearance of merit than merit itself.

There is merit without elevation, but there is no elevation without some merit.