--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We should try to succeed by merit, not by…" description: "\"We should try to succeed by merit, not by favor. He who does well will always have patrons enough. [Lat., Virtute ambire oportet, non favitoribus. Sat ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bbc/plautus-1263_doe_we-should-try-to-succeed-by-merit-not-by_1580993.jpg" --- # We should try to succeed by merit, not by favor. He who… ![“We should try to succeed by merit, not by favor. He who does well will always have patrons enough. [Lat., Virtute ambire oportet, non favitoribus. Sat habet favitorum semper, qui recte facit.]” quote by Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bbc/plautus-1263_doe_we-should-try-to-succeed-by-merit-not-by_1580993.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bbc/plautus-1263_doe_we-should-try-to-succeed-by-merit-not-by_1580993.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bbc/plautus-1263_doe_we-should-try-to-succeed-by-merit-not-by_1580993.jpg) > “We should try to succeed by merit, not by favor. He who does well will always have patrons enough. \[Lat., Virtute ambire oportet, non favitoribus. Sat habet favitorum semper, qui recte facit.\]” [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Merit should be the basis of success, not favoritism; those who act rightly attract sufficient support. **In simple terms:** Success by merit, not favoritism. Key Takeaway Earn respect through competence. Themes merit fairness support ethics Mood reflective critical Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - job applications - academic pursuits - team leadership - political campaigns Key Concepts Patronage social capital justice Questions to Reflect On - How can institutions reward merit over connections? - What safeguards ensure fair recognition? A Different Perspective Favoritism can still dominate in opaque systems. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Doe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doe/) [Enough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enough/) [Favors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/favors/) [Merit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/merit/) [Merit Favor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/merit-favor-4105238/) [Patron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patron/) [Sat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sat/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Succeed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/succeed/) [Succeed Merit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/succeed-merit-2551025/) [Try Succeed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/try-succeed/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/) [Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wells/) ## Related quotes > [We should try to succeed by merit, not by favor. He who does well will always have patrons enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/we-should-try-to-succeed-by-merit-not-by-favor-he-who-does-well-will/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [I would like my kids to inherit a world where people succeed because of merit and hard work, not entitlement, and where people accept…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-kawasaki/i-would-like-my-kids-to-inherit-a-world-where-people-succeed-because/) [Guy Kawasaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-kawasaki/) > [Mere bashfulness without merit is awkward; and merit without modesty, insolent. But modest merit has a double claim to acceptance, and generally meets with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/mere-bashfulness-without-merit-is-awkward-and-merit-without-modesty/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [It does not matter a feather whether a man be supported by patron or client, if he himself wants courage. \[Lat., Animus tamen omnia…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/it-does-not-matter-a-feather-whether-a-man-be-supported-by-patron-or/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [Your Heart Knows What You Should Do. Your Brain Wants To know The Answer. Your Guts Tell You To Hurry Up And do It.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/your-heart-knows-what-you-should-do-your-brain-wants-to-know-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Amateurs try until they succeed. Professionals try until they can't fail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/amateurs-try-until-they-succeed-professionals-try-until-they-can-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“ Some doors lead to amazing things. Some doors lead to...well, not much. But the more doors a person tried, the greater the chances…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doe-zantamata/some-doors-lead-to-amazing-things-some-doors-lead-to-well-not-much/) [Doe Zantamata](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doe-zantamata/) > [As kids we're not taught how to deal with success; we're taught how to deal with failure. If at first you don't succeed, try,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-sheen/as-kids-we-re-not-taught-how-to-deal-with-success-we-re-taught-how-to/) [Charlie Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-sheen/) > [If we used to be poor don't be ashamed coz if you want to be rich,try and try until you succeed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherinee27/if-we-used-to-be-poor-don-t-be-ashamed-coz-if-you-want-to-be-rich-try/) [Katherinee27](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherinee27/) > [The men who try to do something and fail are infinitely better than those who try nothing and succeed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lloyd-jones/the-men-who-try-to-do-something-and-fail-are-infinitely-better-than/) [Lloyd Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lloyd-jones/) > [Men who try to do something and fail are infinitely better than those who try to do nothing and succeed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lloyd-jones/men-who-try-to-do-something-and-fail-are-infinitely-better-than-those/) [Lloyd Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lloyd-jones/) > [“You rob yourself of reaching your maximum potential and the best chance of success when you try to succeed alone.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mensah-oteh/you-rob-yourself-of-reaching-your-maximum-potential-and-the-best/) [Mensah Oteh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mensah-oteh/) > [I will try and try and try and try again until I succeed. Only death can stop me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-will-try-and-try-and-try-and-try-again-until-i-succeed-only-death/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Better to try something and fail than to try nothing and succeed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/better-to-try-something-and-fail-than-to-try-nothing-and-succeed/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My mom always told me the more you try, the more you will succeed in everything you set out to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-lopez/my-mom-always-told-me-the-more-you-try-the-more-you-will-succeed-in/) [Diana Lopez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-lopez/) ## More by Plautus > [Remind a man of what he remembers, and you will make him forget it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/remind-a-man-of-what-he-remembers-and-you-will-make-him-forget-it/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [Arrogance is the outgrowth of prosperity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/arrogance-is-the-outgrowth-of-prosperity/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [I suspect that hunger was my mother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/i-suspect-that-hunger-was-my-mother/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [He is happy in his wisdom who has learned at another's expense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/he-is-happy-in-his-wisdom-who-has-learned-at-another-s-expense/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [He who dies for virtue does not perish.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/he-who-dies-for-virtue-does-not-perish/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [The man who would be fully employed should procure a ship or a woman, for no two things produce more trouble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/the-man-who-would-be-fully-employed-should-procure-a-ship-or-a-woman/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [If you speak insults you will hear them also.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/if-you-speak-insults-you-will-hear-them-also/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [ No man has perpetual good fortune. \[Lat., Nulli est homini perpetuum bonum.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/no-man-has-perpetual-good-fortune-lat-nulli-est-homini-perpetuum-bonum/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [What you lend is lost; when you ask for it back, you may find a friend made an enemy by your kindness. If you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/what-you-lend-is-lost-when-you-ask-for-it-back-you-may-find-a-friend/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [Things unhoped for happen oftener than things we desire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/things-unhoped-for-happen-oftener-than-things-we-desire/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [“Ut saepe summa ingenia in occulto latent (How often the greatest talents are shrouded in obscurity)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/ut-saepe-summa-ingenia-in-occulto-latent-how-often-the-greatest/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [ You little know what a ticklish thing it is to go to law. \[Lat., Nescis tu quam meticulosa res sit ire ad judicem.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/you-little-know-what-a-ticklish-thing-it-is-to-go-to-law-lat-nescis/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [Modesty should accompany youth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/modesty-should-accompany-youth/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [It is wisdom to think upon anything before we execute it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/it-is-wisdom-to-think-upon-anything-before-we-execute-it/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [A woman smells well when she smells of nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/a-woman-smells-well-when-she-smells-of-nothing/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) [Explore all 259 Plautus quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) ## More Doe quotes > [So the fool, as distinct from the scoundrel, is completely self- satisfied; in fact, he can easily become dangerous, as it does not take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/so-the-fool-as-distinct-from-the-scoundrel-is-completely-self/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [I cannot forbid a person to marry several wives, for it does not contradict Scripture. MARTIN LUTHER, letter to Chancellor Gregory Brück, January 13,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-bruyere/i-cannot-forbid-a-person-to-marry-several-wives-for-it-does-not/) [Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-bruyere/) > [For successful education there must always be a certain freshness in the knowledge dealt with. It must be either new in itself or invested…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/for-successful-education-there-must-always-be-a-certain-freshness-in/) [Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/) > [The prophet who fails to present a bearable alternative and yet preaches doom is part of the trap that he postulates. Not only does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mead/the-prophet-who-fails-to-present-a-bearable-alternative-and-yet/) [Margaret Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mead/) > [Sometimes a sign or a quote is simply interesting by itself and does not require anything beyond being framed on a page.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-vincent-benet/sometimes-a-sign-or-a-quote-is-simply-interesting-by-itself-and-does/) [Stephen Vincent Benet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-vincent-benet/) > [A home is not a museum. It doesn't have to be furnished with Picasso paintings, or Sheraton suites, or Oriental rugs, or Chinese pottery.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-m-cain/a-home-is-not-a-museum-it-doesn-t-have-to-be-furnished-with-picasso/) [James M. Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-m-cain/) > [The image of blacks usually is one of people who are suffering from hunger, unemployment, and poverty. The idea of them as agents and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-lee-boggs/the-image-of-blacks-usually-is-one-of-people-who-are-suffering-from/) [Grace Lee Boggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-lee-boggs/) > [He's a fool that marries; but he's a greater fool that does not marry a fool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wycherley/he-s-a-fool-that-marries-but-he-s-a-greater-fool-that-does-not-marry/) [William Wycherley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wycherley/) > [Nothing old is ever reborn but neither does it totally disappear. And that which has once been born, will always reappear in a new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alvar-aalto/nothing-old-is-ever-reborn-but-neither-does-it-totally-disappear-and/) [Alvar Aalto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alvar-aalto/) > [One of the things the United States does well is building coalitions. What the U.S. knows is that if you don't have a coalition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shimon-peres/one-of-the-things-the-united-states-does-well-is-building-coalitions/) [Shimon Peres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shimon-peres/) > [Preaching to the choir actually arms the choir with arguments and elevates the choir's discourse. There's a reason the right does it and does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-savage/preaching-to-the-choir-actually-arms-the-choir-with-arguments-and/) [Dan Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-savage/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [ If the State does not acquire supremacy over \[vast private\] enterprises, it becomes their puppet, and they become the real State. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/if-the-state-does-not-acquire-supremacy-over-vast-private-enterprises/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [If Wall Street crashes, does Main Street follow? Not necessarily.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-bernanke/if-wall-street-crashes-does-main-street-follow-not-necessarily/) [Ben Bernanke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-bernanke/) > [It does not seem to me to be sufficiently recognized everywhere among the officials that the existence or non-existence of our people and Empire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-von-hindenburg/it-does-not-seem-to-me-to-be-sufficiently-recognized-everywhere-among/) [Paul von Hindenburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-von-hindenburg/) [Browse all 25,574 Doe quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doe/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We should try to succeed by merit, not by favor. He who does well will always have patrons enough. [Lat., Virtute ambire oportet, non favitoribus. Sat habet favitorum semper, qui recte facit.]", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Plautus" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/we-should-try-to-succeed-by-merit-not-by-favor-he-who-does-well-will-2/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Doe" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/we-should-try-to-succeed-by-merit-not-by-favor-he-who-does-well-will-2/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bbc/plautus-1263_doe_we-should-try-to-succeed-by-merit-not-by_1580993.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bbc/plautus-1263_doe_we-should-try-to-succeed-by-merit-not-by_1580993.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bbc/plautus-1263_doe_we-should-try-to-succeed-by-merit-not-by_1580993.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We should try to succeed by merit, not by favor. He who does well will always have patrons enough. [Lat…” — Plautus", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Plautus", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "We should try to succeed by...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/we-should-try-to-succeed-by-merit-not-by-favor-he-who-does-well-will-2/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/we-should-try-to-succeed-by-merit-not-by-favor-he-who-does-well-will-2/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```