Frank J. Wilstach, comp. A Dictionary of Similes. 1916.
Merit
True merit is like a river; the deeper it is the less noise it makes.
—Marquis of Halifax
Merit is like musk, which although remaining concealed through the diffusion of its perfume, the nostrils are apprised thereof.
—Pilpay
True merit, like the pearl inside the oyster, is content to remain quiet until it finds an opening.
—Punch
True merit, like the light of a glow-worm, shines conspicuous to all except the object which emits it.
—Elizabeth Ricord
Merit, like the show inside the circus, is of comparatively little use as drawing card; it is the bluff and buncombe, the banging drum and megaphone of the barker, which is the successful magnet.
—Leslie de Vaux