The Way Things Are
"Money, or coinage, is gold or silver that has been specially marked – in accordance with policy established by any government or head of government – for the purpose of reckoning the prices of things that are bought and sold. Money is therefore a kind of common 'measuring stick' for the valuation of things. Now, whatever is taken as a measure has to be stable – must keep to a fixed limit. Otherwise, public order will necessarily be disturbed, and the buyers and sellers of things will be cheated many times over, just as if basic measures of length [Latin ulna, or ell], bulk measure [Latin modius, or peck], or weight did not have a fixed quantity."
"But what had over so long a period of time become the inveterate habit (or license) of adulterating, pilfering, and cheapening the money, has not ceased in our day. For what it later became and what it is today I am ashamed to say. The value has collapsed so much that now thirty marks scarcely contain a pound of silver!"
"But perhaps someone will object, 'A leaner money is more advantageous to human uses: it really helps the poor, by bringing a lower price of groceries and by supplying the other necessities of life more easily.'"
"But if such persons will only consider the common good [ communis utilitas], they certainly will not deny that an excellent currency is good not only for the state but for themselves and all classes of people, and that cheap money is harmful. The truth of this is clear, not only for many other reasons but especially thanks to that wise teacher, experience: we see countries that have good money flourishing most of all, and those with poor money declining and perishing..."[Over the past century] the money has been cheapening more and more every day, and our country through this pestilence and other catastrophes has been nearly brought to ruin. It is also well known that wherever cheap money is in use, the practice of the better arts and human talents is neglected through laziness, lack of interest and a kind of cowardly idleness, and there is no abundance of anything."