to acquire or make merit

General trends, like the coincident decline of the nation-state and the growth of antisemitism, can hardly ever be explained satisfactorily by one reason or by one cause alone.

To be wise about affares of this life (these fleeting, these empty, these deceitful shadows) is a sorry wisdom; to be wise in purveying for the flesh, is the wisdom of a beast, which is wise enough to prog for its sustenance;

He moved the boat onward very slowly, lipping the glossy surface delicately with the light oars.