Lysander Spooner: “A solvent contract to pay money is in reality--in law, and in equity--a bona fide mortgage upon the debtor's property.”

When they have once taken our money, they have the decency to get out of our sight as soon as possible; they do not persist in following us, and robbing us, again and again, so long as we produce anything that they can take from us.

They do not attempt to deceive us, or mislead us, or reconcile us to their doings, by any such pretences, impostures, or insults as these.

In short, they acknowledge themselves hostes humani generis: enemies of the human race.

They neither ask, nor expect, any mercy, if they should ever fall into the hands of honest men.