Literary notes about Meritorious (AI summary)
In literature, "meritorious" is often employed to connote actions or characteristics that are worthy of high praise or moral credit. Writers use the term not only to highlight acts of valor, self-sacrifice, or piety—as seen when a character’s deeds are lauded and set against more mundane actions ([1], [2], [3])—but also to draw comparisons between different forms of service and duty, whether in a martial, civic, or religious setting ([4], [5], [6]). Moreover, its application spans from the subtle critique of performative virtue in social interactions to the exaltation of sincere personal or collective achievement, as illustrated in both classical and modern narratives ([7], [8], [9]). This rich and versatile usage underscores the term’s capacity to imbue actions with a profound sense of ethical or heroic worth.
- In point of meritorious character, the two things seemed about equal.
— from Great Expectations by Charles Dickens - When she is older she will be heiress to a large fortune, which it will be her duty to spend in a meritorious manner.
— from A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett - I know well that courage is required to leave, that it is hard; but the harder it is, the more meritorious.
— from Les Misérables by Victor Hugo - At the last hour we must confess this action and God knows better than we can whether it is a crime, a fault, or a meritorious deed.
— from Twenty years after by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet - This is, I think, not only the most prudent and convenient, but the most meritorious Piece of Charity, which we can put in practice.
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - Kahoda said, ‘It is for this, O Janaka, that men pray for sons, by performing meritorious acts.
— from The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 1 - Fourthly, as regards meritorious duties towards others: The natural end which all men have is their own happiness.
— from Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysic of Morals by Immanuel Kant - The one idea that had ever got through poor Marek’s thick head was that all exertion was meritorious.
— from My Ántonia by Willa Cather - His tales, all of them, are pre-eminently meritorious.
— from Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle
