”The Jews”— the “cruelest usurers”— (Galiani, On Money)

This was imitated by other princes. At that time, with the destruction of the Jews, the cruelest usurers, and the institution of monti di pieta, xxsury was almost totally extinguished and the common populace had thus
been calmed. At the same time, it was astonishing to see the sharpest minds emerge to protect and sustain usury, already dead by this time, and despite the fact that it had not been defended by anyone even when it
‘h
R brief n&rration of the controvert sies on usury.
was alive.