I believe it's partly their religion.

They swindle us, and pay their priests for absolution with our money.

If you're a double-dyed sinner, you can easily get yourself whitewashed over there.
Confound them! When that fellow sent no remittance last month, I told you I suspected him.

Who was, the shrewdest then?
As for pluck, I never failed in that yet.

But, I will see a thing clear.