It is the thrift of a spendthrift which ruins him most effectually.

Understand the thought

Meaning in plain English

A careless spender’s apparent economy can create greater costs. The paradox questions savings that preserve the wrong thing while undermining the larger purpose.

What the words are saying

Thrift normally suggests preservation, but here it becomes an especially damaging part of spending. One useful reading is false economy: avoiding a needed provision while continuing an expensive pattern. The saying does not make thrift inherently harmful or establish a financial strategy. A careful application compares the supposed saving with its real consequences rather than judging by the label attached to it.

Everyday example

A group rejects saving a small amount on essential preparation when that omission would make its planned work unusable.

When to use it

Use it to examine a supposed saving that defeats the purpose of an undertaking.

Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.