His diary, however, gives no details concerning Lucretia's private life--this did not come within his duties.
Never did any other chronicler describe the things about him so clearly and so concisely, so dryly, and with so little feeling--things which were worthy of the pen of a Tacitus.

That Burchard was not friendly to the Borgias is proved by the way his diary is written; it, however, is absolutely truthful.

This man well knew how to conceal his feelings--if the dull routine of his office had left him any.

He went through the daily ceremonial of the Vatican mechanically, and kept his place there under five popes.

Burchard must have seemed to the Borgias a harmless pedant; for if not, would they have permitted him to behold and describe their doings and yet live?
Even the little which he did write in his diary concerning events of the day would have cost him his head had it come to the knowledge of Alexander or Caesar.