He had nothing to gain by the revolutions he dreamed of, and he might lose much by any upsetting of the existing laws of property.

He was, therefore, perfectly sincere, so far as his convictions went, and disinterested to a remarkable degree.
These conditions are often found in the social position of the true fanatic, who is the more ready to run to the greatest length, because he entertains no desire to better his own state.

Marzio's real weakness lay in the limited scope of his views, and in a certain timid prudence which destroyed his power of initiative.

He was an economical man, who distrusted the future; and though such a disposition produces a good effect in causing a man to save money against the day of misfortune, it is incompatible with the career of the true enthusiast, who must be ready to risk everything at any moment.

The man who would move other men, and begin great changes, must have an enormous belief in himself, an unbounded confidence in his cause, and a large faith in the future, amounting to the absolute scorn of consequence.
These greater qualities Marzio did not possess, and through lack of them the stupendous results of which he was fond of talking had diminished to a series of domestic quarrels, in which he was not always victorious.
His hatred of the church was practically reduced to the detestation of his brother, and to an unreasoning jealousy of his brother's influence in his home.