As stated above, the economic ideas of the Greeks were unsystematized and inextensive.18 The extant literature previous to Plato presents only incidental hints on matters economic. Hesiod, in interesting antithesis to classical thinkers, emphasizes the dignity and importance of manual labor.19 The contrast, however, is not so great as it appears, for the labor which he dignifies is agricultural. He constantly urges its importance as the chief source of wealth.20 On the other hand, he opposes the commercial spirit that was beginning to be rife in his age, and decries the evil of unjust gains.21 His mention of the fact of competition between artisans of the same trade is of interest for the development of industry in Greece.22 His Erga was, in a sense, the forerunner of the later Economica in Greek literature.
Solon proved by his reforms that he had some sane economic ideas as to the importance of labor, industry, commerce, and money in the development of the state. He also showed some insight into the solution of the problem of poverty. His ideas, however, are not definitely formulated in his extant fragments, and belong rather to economic history.23 The Elegies of Theognis are full of moral utterances on wealth,