Since, however, we have sufficiently discussed things which pertain to the knowledge of this subject, it is necessary to consider such things as belong to the use of it. But all such particulars have indeed a liberal theory, and necessary experience. The useful parts, however, of the acquisition of money, are to be skilled in possessions, so as to know what kind are most profitable, and where, and how; as for instance, what advantage will be derived from keeping horses, or oxen, or sheep, and in a similar manner with respect to other animals. For it is necessary to be skilled in the comparative value of these things, and to know which of them are most profitable in particular places; for some animals do better in one place, and some in another. In the next place it is requisite to be skilled in agriculture, and the management of arable land and orchards, and also in the care of bees, and fish. Of Thales the Milesian; for this was an invention pertaining to gain, fish, and birds, from which advantage may be derived. These, therefore, are the first parts of the acquisition of money which is most appropriate. But the greatest mean of gaining money by exchange is merchandize; and of this there are three parts; viz. sending the commodity for sale by sea, or by land, or selling it on the place where it grows. These, however, differ from each other in this, that the last of these is safer, but the others are attended with greater profit. The second mean is by usury; but the third is by receiving wages for work done; and this, either by being employed in sordid arts, or in labours which are without art, and which require the service of the body alone. There is also a third species of acquiring money, which is between this and the first species. For it has a certain part which is according to nature, and a part which depends on exchange. The subject of it, also, is things that are immediately from the earth, or their produce, and which, though they bear no fruit, are yet useful; such as the selling of timber, and the whole art of metallurgy, which comprehends in itself many genera. For there are many species of things which are dug out of the earth. We have now, therefore, indeed, spoken universally concerning each of these; but accurately to discuss them in particular, though it would be useful to artists, would be tiresome to dwell on. Those elaborations, however, are the most artificial in which there is the least of fortune; those are the most sordid, in which the body is most defiled; those are the most servile in which there is the most abundant use of the body; and those are the most ignoble, in which virtue is least requisite. Since, however, certain persons have written concerning these things, such as Chares the Parian, and Apollodorus the Lemnian, on husbandry and planting, and in a similar manner others have written on other things; these things may, indeed, be surveyed from their writings, by those who have occasion to consult them. And farther still, it is requisite to collect what is occasionally mentioned respecting the means by which some persons have been successful in acquiring wealth. For all these things are useful to those who honour the art of getting money; such for instance, as the contrivance of Thales the Milesian; though it was attributed to him on account of his wisdom, and the thing is something universal. For when he was reproached for his poverty, as if philosophy was useless, it is said that he, perceiving by his skill in astrology that there would be an abundance of olives that year, though it was yet winter, procured a little money, and gave earnest for all the oil works that were in Miletus and Chios, which he hired at a low price, there being no one to bid against him. But when the season came for making oil, many persons wanting them immediately, he sold them for as much money as he pleased, and thus having collected a large sum of money, he demonstrated to them, that it was easy for philosophers to be rich if they chose it, but that this was not what they earnestly endeavoured to obtain. After this manner, therefore, Thales is said to have made a demonstration of his wisdom. But as we have said, a thing of this kind pertains in short to the acquisition of money, when a man is able to furnish for himself a monopoly. Hence, also, some cities adopt this method when they are in want of money; for they make a monopoly of vendible articles. But in Sicily there was a certain person who laid out a sum of money which was deposited with him, in buying up all the iron from the iron merchants. After this, when the dealers came from the markets to purchase, there was no one had any to sell but himself; and though he made no great advance in the price of it, yet by laying out fifty talents he made a hundred. Dionysius, therefore, perceiving this, permitted him to take the money, but forbid him to continue any longer in Sicily, as being one who discovered means of enriching himself, disadvantageous to his affairs. Hence, the view of this man was the same as that of Thales; for both contrived to procure a monopoly for themselves. But it is useful also for politicians to know these things; for many cities want to raise money, and by such means, as well as families, and indeed in a greater degree. Hence, some persons who are employed in the management of public affairs, pay attention to this only.
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