Extract from al-Safadi’s biography

He (Fakhr al-Din) took the initiative of managing himself the affairs of his kingdom, administering its finance; He was improving his situation thanks to his great intuition. He was determined, firm and intelligent. He empathised with the rich and had mercy on the poor. He was obedient to God and to the Sultan, paid his dues but was the object of envy for so is every benefactor.