如何发财How to become rich

24° How to become rich. One day, when still a poor man, Thales was conversing with an equally poor visiting friend. "The lot of a poor man is a hard one in this world," remarked the friend, "and if one is born poor one will remain poor the rest of his life." "Not necessarily so," replied Thales, "I am sure that if one should apply himself to the matter, it would be easy to become rich." "That is certainly easier said than done," rejoined the friend, "and I find it very difficult to believe." "I tell you what," said Thales, "when you visit me again six months from now, I will show you how easy it is to become rich." Six months later, when the visitor returned, he was astonished to find that his former poor friend was now the richest man for miles around, and he expressed his great surprise to Thales. "I merely wanted to show you how easy it is to become rich if you apply yourself to the problem," replied Thales. "Well, tell me, how did you do it?" asked the friend. "It was simple," explained Thales. "Foreseeing a heavy crop of olives coming, I went about and secretly bought up all the olive presses of the region. When it came time to press the oil from the olives, no one in the region had a press, and all had to come to me. I realized a fortune by renting out the presses. You see, it is easy to become rich if you but give the matter a little attention."