Usury by Calvin Elliott is a study examining the practice of lending money at interest, considered from moral, religious, and economic standpoints. Writing in the late nineteenth century, Elliott marshals scriptural argument, historical example, and economic reasoning to mount a critique of usury as he defines it.
The book reviews the teachings of the Bible and the attitudes of various ages and societies toward interest, contending that the practice carries serious moral and social dangers. Reflecting a tradition of religiously grounded objection to usury, the work engages debates about wealth, justice, and the proper use of money. While its conclusions belong to a particular ethical outlook, the volume offers insight into long-standing controversies over finance and morality, and the persistent question of how lending should be governed.