He was of a gracious presence, and he welcomed men with such urbanity that those who spoke with him rarely left him displeased.

His hair was inclined to be red, and he wore it cut short above the ears, and, whether it rained or snowed, he always went without a hat.

He was delightful among friends, but terrible to his enemies; just to his subjects; ready to play false with the unfaithful, and willing to overcome by fraud those whom he desired to subdue, because he was wont to say that it was the victory that brought the glory, not the methods of achieving it.

No one was bolder in facing danger, none more prudent in extricating himself.

He was accustomed to say that men ought to attempt everything and fear nothing; that God is a lover of strong men, because one always sees that the weak are chastised by the strong.