Bertrand Russel Quoting Aristotle on Thales in his "History of Western Philosophy"
There are many legends about him, but i do not think more is known than the few facts I have mentioned.Some of the stories are pleasant, for instance, the one told by Aristotle in his
politics(1259a):
"He was reproached for his poverty, which was supposed to show that
philosophy is of no use. According to the story, he knew by his skill in the stars while it was yet winter that there would be a great harvest of olives in the coming year; so, having a little money, he gave deposits for the use of all the olive-presses in Chios and Miletus, which he hired at a low price because no one bid against him. When the harvest time came, and many were wanted all at once and of a sudden, he let them out at any rate which he pleased, and made a quantity of money. Thus he showed the world that philosophers can easily be rich if they like, but their ambition is of another sort."
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