In politics, merit is rewarded by the possessor being raised, like a target, to a position to be fired at.

Christian Nestell Bovee (1820–1904) was an American aphorist and compiler of maxims whose work often satirized public life, ambition, and the moral hazards of power. This remark belongs to the tradition of 19th‑century political skepticism, when partisan newspapers, patronage (“spoils”), and personal attacks were widely perceived as defining features of American politics. Bovee’s epigram reflects the experience that public distinction—especially in political office—invites scrutiny, envy, and organized opposition, so that advancement can feel less like a reward than an exposure to continual attack.

The sentence turns the idea of “reward” on its head: in politics, demonstrated merit does not bring peace or security but visibility. Being “raised, like a target” suggests that promotion makes a person easier to hit—by rivals, the press, factions, and disappointed allies. Bovee implies that political arenas often punish excellence because it threatens others’ interests and because public roles invite blame for complex outcomes. The epigram also hints at a moral warning: those who seek political elevation should expect not gratitude but hostility, and should measure success not by applause but by resilience under attack.