How seldom, friend! a good great man inherits Honor or wealth, with all his worth and pains! It sounds like stories from the land of spirits If any man obtain that which he merits, Or any merit that which he obtains.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The author notes that virtuous people rarely receive due recognition or wealth, questioning the link between merit and reward.
- In plain terms
- Good people often do not get rich or honored for their efforts.
- What can you take from it?
- Do not expect virtue to guarantee success.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Do you feel undervalued?
- Should merit guarantee reward?
Another view
It ignores cases where merit does lead to success.
More from Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Earth, with her thousand voices, praises God.
Permalink to quote #13 Trochee trips from long to short; From long to long in solemn sort Slow Spondee stalks.
Permalink to quote #15 Hast thou a charm to stay the morning star In his steep course?
Permalink to quote #12
Related quotes
Reputation is rarely proportioned to virtue.
Francis de SalesFrancis de Sales quote #10 The man who barely abstains from violating either the person, or the estate, or the reputation of his neighbours, has surely very little positive merit. He ful…
Adam SmithAdam Smith quote #21 Ostentatious men who are governed by self-interest will combine, whether white or black, and the generous and selfless will similarly unite. True men, black an…
Jose MartiJose Marti quote #60