Yeah, I like that quote too. Xanatos is a pretty cool villain. I don't think Lex has ever been pure evil, but his petty nature has prevented him from being truly sympathetic. Petty jealous is not a noble or sympathetic trait, it is an ugly trait. The only way for Lex to be sympathetic is to have him realize and wrestle with his petty nature. Pettiness has always been ingrained in the character, he never had a reason to hate Superman that didn't come off as totally petty. Lex trying to overcome his petty nature could make him sympathetic, likewise if you want to make him unsympathetic, he should reveal in his petty nature. Pettiness is part of the character of the Lex Luthor, how Lex deals with that can make him sympathetic or unsympathetic.