I believe that President Clinton considered the legal merits of the arguments for the pardon as he understood them and he rendered his judgment wise or unwise on the merits.

Cagey trial lawyers have figured out there's a pretty good likelihood their case - no matter what its merit - will literally get its day in court because of favorable judges.

Without feeling abashed by my ignorance I confess that I am absolutely unable to say. In the absence of an appearance of learning my answer has at least one merit that of perfect sincerity.

Jealousy would be far less torturous if we understood that love is a passion entirely unrelated to our merits.

I listen to them freely and with all the respect merited by their intelligence their character their knowledge reserving always my incontestable right of criticism and censure.

Now an infinite happiness cannot be purchased by any price less than that which is infinite in value and infinity of merit can only result from a nature that is infinitely divine or perfect.

Nobody I think ought to read poetry or look at pictures or statues who cannot find a great deal more in them than the poet or artist has actually expressed. Their highest merit is suggestiveness.

Moderation has been called a virtue to limit the ambition of great men and to console undistinguished people for their want of fortune and their lack of merit.

It seems to never occur to fools that merit and good fortune are closely united.

God preordained for his own glory and the display of His attributes of mercy and justice a part of the human race without any merit of their own to eternal salvation and another part in just punishment of their sin to eternal damnation.