He was like Machiavelli, endeavoring to save a corrupt state by utilizing corruption for ends acknowledged sound.

And, like Machiavelli, he was mistaken, because it will not profit man to trust in craft or the manipulation of evil.

Luther was stronger in his weakness than the creator of the Jesuit machinery, wiser in his simplicity than the deviser of that subtle engine.

But Luther had the onward forces of humanity upon his side.

Ignatius could but retard them by his ingenuity.
We may be therefore excused if we admire Ignatius for the virile effort which he made in a failing cause, and for the splendid gifts of organizing prudence which he devoted to a misplaced object.
Under his direction, the members of the Society spread themselves over Europe, and always with similar results.