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Full Idea
Personal Merit consists altogether in the possession of mental qualities, useful or agreeable to the person himself or to others.
Gist of Idea
Personal Merit is the possession of useful or agreeable mental qualities
Source
David Hume (Enquiry concerning Principles of Morals [1751], IX.I.217)
Book Ref
Hume,David: 'Enquiries Conc. Human Understanding, Morals', ed/tr. Selby-Bigge/Nidditch [OUP 1975], p.269
A Reaction
If pleasure and utility can be intrinsically valuable, why can't virtue be as well?