“Pope Alexander smiled. He seemed more amused with the story than horrified. "The Baglioni are true believers," he said. "They believe in paradise. Such a great gift. How otherwise can man bear this moral life? Unfortunately, such a belief also gives evil men the courage to commit great crimes in the name of good and God.” GodEvilGoodBelieverGiftParadiseMoral LifeBorgiasMario Puzo Book:The Family Source: The Family
“But della Rovere frowned and said, "Heed my warning, Guido Feltra. He's full of the devil, this son of the church.” GodEvilChurchDevilPriestBorgiasMario PuzoThe Family Book:The Family Source: The Family
“It doesn't do to look too envious of other women. Men are already quite vain enough thinking we fight each other like cats for their attention, aren't they? - Giulia Farnese” LoveInspirational AttitudeWomen And MenThe BorgiasBorgiasGiulia FarneseThe Serpent And The Pearl Book:The Serpent and the Pearl Source: The Serpent and the Pearl
“That's what lay behind the feud under way in the Republic: a battle between different noble family factions in a fight for power. Serving this side or the other was of no interest to Mathias. But the consequences of a Venice under the Pope's direct control weren't at all to his liking. His beloved books would be burned by ignorant, avid priests. Men like Malachia would win. It was the same old struggle. The same fight Gheorg had chosen, the same fight that might take him to Wittenberg. But he wouldn't clear the way for Alexander VI. With what little strength he possessed, even though he was nothing more than a pawn of a chessboard, that extended farther then he could see, Mathias would help those in power smash what had all the makings of a major plot, one designed to overturn the government in power in La Serenissima. And these thoughts allowed the monk to find the first answer to the many question with which he still felt burdened. He and the Borgias did NOT share the same Church.” ChurchBooksBattleMonkItalyVenicePawnBattles WithinBorgiasPawn Or Player Book:The Lion and the Rose Source: The Lion and the Rose