[pilaf]

My English is probably lacking (not a native speaker), but I can't parse that sentence for the life of me, let alone understand what it means. Curiously enough, googling it brings up exactly two results: the book you cite and this HN thread.

[cyclopus]

The he is referring to Diogenes, an ancient philosopher. And Diogenes is calling rich but ignorant men sheeps with golden fleeces.

"A man who is rich but ignorant he[Diogenes] called a sheep with golden fleece."

[pilaf]

Makes sense now, thanks. I had assumed it was a direct quote by Diogenes himself.