yet the merits of the Achaeans and Aetolians never secured for them permission to increase their power, nor did the persuasions of Philip ever induce the Romans to be his friends without first humbling him, nor did the influence of Antiochus make them agree that he should retain any lordship over the country.

' “Of course I remember your merits, Semyon Zakharych, and though you were given to that frivolous weakness, since you have now promised, and, moreover, since without you things have gone badly for us” ' (hear that, hear that!), ' “I shall now place my hopes,” he said, “in your gentleman's word” '—that is, I must tell you, she up and invented it all, and not really out of frivolousness, not merely to boast, sir!

This merits careful consideration.

This is a point that merits our attention.

This proposal merits closer investigation.

This is an area that merits further attention.

Finally, one further development merits mention.

This is a matter which merits a thorough review.

This draft resolution merits adoption by consensus.

An analogous proposal also merits consideration.

Each merits attention and careful consideration.

It is however a major challenge and merits consideration.

“Most of the judges,” and here, Bagman gave Karkaroff a very nasty look, “feel that this shows moral fiber and merits full marks.