Board Thread:Naruto Discussions/@comment-18016240-20160208110013/@comment-681696-20160304182812

QuakingStar wrote: Hiruzen was too good-hearted for his own good.. if he didn't let his heart win in those situations Danzo and Orochimaru would be dead, Hizashi and the Uchiha would still be alive.

Hiruzen being more ruthless wouldn't save Hizashi or the Uchiha, after all sacrificing Hizashi for the good of the village was the pragmatic choice, and Hiruzen's heart is what led Hiruzen to try and reach a comprimise with the Uchiha clan even after they planned to betray the village him being more ruthless would still result in the Uchiha clan dying.