The favor of princes does not preclude the existence of merit, and yet does not prove that it exists. [Fr., La faveur des princes n'exclut pas le merite, et ne le suppose pas aussi.]
"Les Caractères", XII, as quoted in Hoyt's New Cyclopedia Of Practical Quotations (1922), p. 510-11,
![The favor of princes does not preclude the existence of merit, and yet does not prove that it exists. [Fr., La faveur des princes n'exclut pas le merite, et ne le suppose pas aussi.]](http://cdn.quoteddaily.com/images/jean-de-la-bruyere/the-favor-of-princes-does-not-preclude-the-existence-of-merit-and-yet-does-not-prove-that-it-existsfr-la.jpg)