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About this quote

What does it mean?
It is more virtuous to be worthy of honors without receiving them than to have them without merit.
In plain terms
Better to deserve honor without having it than have it without deserving it.
What can you take from it?
Character matters more than recognition.

Where it applies

  • career
  • awards
  • leadership

Putting it to work

  • focus on work
  • seek fairness
  • build reputation

Questions to consider

  • Do you seek status?
  • Are you truly qualified?

Another view

Not having honors can limit your ability to do good.

More from Mark Twain

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  2. It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog.

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  3. I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened.

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