We start with gifts. Merit comes from what we make of them.

We start with gifts. Merit comes from what we make of them.

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

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

Diligence is a great teacher.

Diligence is a great teacher.

Contemporaries appreciate the man rather than his merit; posterity will regard the merit rather than the man.

Contemporaries appreciate the man rather than his merit; posterity will regard the merit rather than the man.

That which ordinary men are fit for, I am qualified in. and the best of me is diligence.

That which ordinary men are fit for, I am qualified in. and the best of me is diligence.

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

View the whole scene, with critic judgment scan,
And then deny him merit if you can.
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View the whole scene, with critic judgment scan,
And then deny him merit if you can.
Where he falls short, 'tis Nature's fault alone
Where he succeeds, the merit's all his own.

Diligence is the mother of good luck.

Diligence is the mother of good luck.

The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools.

The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools.