He did not listen to arguments or supplications.

His attention was incapable of straying from one object.

To influence him by words was equivalent to reasoning with the deaf.
"Perhaps the wretch was more to be pitied than hated.

The victims of his implacable caution could scarcely have endured agonies greater than those which his pusillanimity inflicted on himself.

Whatever be the amount of his guilt, the retribution has been adequate.