The world more often rewards outward signs of merit than merit itself.

The same principle leads us to neglect a man of merit that induces us to admire a fool. [Fr., Du meme fonds dont on neglige un homme de merite l'on sait encore admirer un sot.]

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.]

There is merit without elevation, but there is no elevation without some merit. [Fr., Il y a du merite sans elevation mais il n'y a point d'elevation sans quelque merite.]

There is a season for man's merit as well as for fruit. [Fr., Le merite des hommes a sa saison aussi bien que les fruits.]

The world rewards the appearance of merit oftener than merit itself. [Fr., Le monde recompense plus souvent les apparences de merite que le merite meme.]