His highest principle of action was to reach his goal, and to that principle he was ever loyal.

Feeling, too, that it was the interest of France that he should succeed, he was even inspired--compared with others on the stage--by an almost lofty patriotism.
Amiable by nature and by habit, he had preserved the most unimpaired good-humour throughout the horrible years which succeeded St.
Bartholomew, during which he carried his life in his hand, and learned not to wear his heart upon his sleeve.

Without gratitude, without resentment, without fear, without remorse, entirely arbitrary, yet with the capacity to use all men's judgments; without convictions, save in regard to his dynastic interests, he possessed all the qualities, necessary to success.

He knew how to use his enemies.

He knew how to use his friends, to abuse them, and to throw them away.