. . . a wittol wink at his wife's honesty, and too perspicuous in all other affairs; one stumble at a straw, and leap over a block; rob Peter, and pay Paul; scrape unjust sums with one hand, purchase great manors by corruption, fraud, and cozenage, and liberally to distribute to the poor with the other, give a remnant to pious uses, etc.; penny wise, pound foolish; blind men judge of colours. . . .

In "The Anatomy of Melancholy," the author delves into the absurdities and contradictions of human behavior. The quoted passage paints a vivid picture of hypocrisy and folly, capturing the essence of the phrase "penny wise, pound foolish." This expression criticizes those who focus on trivial savings while neglecting significant waste. The author uses the metaphor of a "wittol," someone oblivious to his wife's infidelity, to illustrate how people can blind themselves to their own faults. The imagery of "stumbling at a straw" while "leaping over a block" further emphasizes misjudgment and misplaced priorities. By highlighting the deceit in financial dealings and the paradox of charitable acts funded by ill-gotten gains, the passage underscores the irony in human nature. Ultimately, this critique invites readers to consider the foolishness of valuing superficial gains over substantial integrity.