Grocott & Ward, comps. Grocott’s Familiar Quotations, 6th ed. 189-?.
Merit
On their own merits modest men are dumb;
“Plaudite et valete”—Terence—Hum!
Colman.—Epilogue to Heir-at-Law, last lines.
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.
Churchill.—The Rosciad, Line 1023. (Critique on Sheridan.)
Before such merit all objections fly;—
Prichard’s genteel, and Garrick’s six feet high.
Churchill.—The Rosciad, Line 850. (Critique on Mrs. Prichard.)
Amongst the sons of men how few are known
Who dare be just to merit not their own.
Churchill.—Epi. to Hogarth. Line 1.