Merit Quotes

In ambition, as in love, the successful can afford to be indulgent toward their rivals. The prize our own, it is graceful to recognize the merit that vainly aspired to it.

The very gradual reductions in my weight which I am able to show, may be interesting to many, and I have great pleasure in stating them, believing that they serve to demonstrate further the merit of the system pursued.

What indeed is life, unless so far as it is enjoyed? It does not merit the name.

I don't say 'Tis impossible for an impudent man not to rise in the world, but a moderate merit with a large share of impudence is more probable to be advanced than the greatest qualifications without it.

In America, as opposed to the old country, success was based on merit.

Evidently the merit depends on the result of the work.

But if our sex would but well consider and rationally ponder, they will perceive and find that it is neither words nor place that can advance them, but worth and merit.

Fondly we think we honor merit then, When we but praise ourselves in other men.

Cagey trial lawyers have figured out there's a pretty good likelihood their case - no matter what its merit - will literally get its day in court because of favorable judges.

People talk about 'getting rid of the old image', and I guess there's some merit in that. But the truth is that people loved 'The Wonder Years' - I can't turn my back on it.

We shall never be understood or respected by the English until we carry our individuality to extremes, and by asserting our independence, become of sufficient consequence in their eyes to merit a closer study than they have hitherto accorded us.

Her great merit is finding out mine - there is nothing so amiable as discernment.

In politics, merit is rewarded by the possessor being raised, like a target, to a position to be fired at.

Reputation is an idle and most false imposition; oft got without merit, and lost without deserving.

Miller didn't write Death of a Salesman. He released it. It was there inside him, waiting to be turned loose. That's the measure of its merit.

The merit of our Constitution was, not that it promotes democracy, but checks it.

There is huge merit in both Eastern and Western medicine, and I've taken a little bit from both.

It is of no consequence of what parents a man is born, as long as he be a man of merit.

When you bring an idea that has no merit to me, and you ask me to comment on it, I'm going to tell you it has no merit.

I don't say 'Tis impossible for an impudent man not to rise in the world, but a moderate merit with a large share of impudence is more probable to be advanced than the greatest qualifications without it.

Arrogance on the part of the meritorious is even more offensive to us than the arrogance of those without merit: for merit itself is offensive.

One merit of poetry few persons will deny: it says more and in fewer words than prose.

Moderation has been called a virtue to limit the ambition of great men, and to console undistinguished people for their want of fortune and their lack of merit.

Nearly all the things I do that are of any merit at all start off just being good fun, and I think I'm sort of building up to doing something else quite soon.

I urge the enactment of a civil service law so explicit and so strong that no partisan official will dare evade it, basing all rewards, promotions and salaries solely on merit, on loyalty and industry in the public service.

If you are looking for smart judging based on merit, skip the Academy Awards next year and pay attention to the Independent Spirit Awards.

Ambition is pitiless. Any merit that it cannot use it finds despicable.

The sufficiency of merit is to know that my merit is not sufficient.

Certainly the best works, and of greatest merit for the public, have proceeded from the unmarried, or childless men.

Consider the Essay as a political pamphlet on the Revolution side, and the fact that it was the Whig gospel for a century, and you will see its working merit.