Ruthlessness

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568. Ruthlessness (See also Brutality, Cruelty, Heartlessness.)

  1. Borgia, Cesare (14761507) prototype of Machiavellis Prince: intelligent and ruthlessly opportunistic. [Ital. Hist.: Plumb, 59]
  2. Caligula (1241) Roman emperor known for terror and cruel autocracy. [Rom. Hist.: NCE, 425]
  3. Ivan the Terrible (15331584) his reign was characterized by murder and terror. [Russ. Hist.: EB, 9: 11791180]
  4. Larsen, Wolf captain of the Ghost ; terrorizes his crew. [Am. Lit.: London The Sea Wolf in Magill I, 874]
  5. Nero (3768) demented Roman emperor; initiated persecutions against the Christians. [Rom. Hist.: NCE, 1909]
  6. Robespierre, Maximilien Marie Isidore (17581794) architect of the Reign of Terror (17931794). [Fr. Hist.: EB, 15: 907910]
  7. Snopes family of unscrupulous climbers, horse thieves, lechers, and murderers in Faulkner novels. [Am. Lit.: Benét, 940]
  8. Snopes, Flem works his way up from obscurity to riches by ruining all his associates and relatives. [Am. Lit.: Wm. Faulkner The Hamlet in Magill II, 398, The Town in Magill III, 1074, and The Mansion in Magill IV, 591]
  9. Vathek sacrifices children, seduces a betrothed girl, and commits many other crimes to satisfy his desires. [Br. Lit.: Vathek in Magill II, 1095]

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