Monetary Paradoxes

XXVII.

That the statutes of the mint-masters carry more weight than the Imperial Recesses Reichs-Abscheide: the final official resolutions passed by the Imperial Diet of the Holy Roman Empire and the decrees of the Princes.

XXVIII.

That noble sovereignty and royal prerogatives Regalien: sovereign rights, such as the right to mint coins or collect certain taxes are dearly acquired, yet are carelessly given away.

XXIX.

That while monks original: "Pfaffen," often used as a derogatory term for clerics and Jesuits are legally original Latin: "Jure" denied the monasteries, these same properties are in practice original Latin: "de facto" willingly handed over to the mint-masters.

XXX.

That one is expected to believe that profit acquired original: "acquiriret" through unlawful means is an honest gain.

XXXI.

That the paths and walkways are unsafe because the money-changers have hitherto enjoyed free passage.

XXXII.

That the money trade—when ill-gotten wealth thrives—can bring more profit to a country than the shipping trade to the Indies Referring to the lucrative spice and colonial trade with the East and West Indies.

XXXIII.

That the State original Latin: "Respublica" can still stand even though all regard for honor original Latin: "respectus honestatis" has been completely abolished.

XXXIV.

That the Princes and Lords restrain the soldiers, yet allow their land and people to be plundered by the workings of the mints.

XXXV.

That a country can be more severely punished and ruined by "light" money Debased currency containing very little precious metal than by a "heavy" Meaning devastating or difficult war.

XXXVI.

That in these days there are many dreadfully boastful braggarts original: "Thrasonische," a reference to Thraso, the swaggering soldier from Roman comedy, and yet there is no one who wants to, or dares to, bell the cat A proverbial expression meaning to perform a dangerous task for the benefit of the community.