Cannot people realize how large an income is thrift?

The line frames thrift not as mere stinginess but as a positive economic force: by reducing waste and unnecessary outlay, one effectively “earns” the equivalent of additional income. Read this way, Cicero’s point is moral as well as practical—self-command in spending supports independence, steadiness of character, and resilience against fortune’s swings. The rhetorical question (“Cannot people realize…?”) suggests a common failure of judgment: people chase gains while overlooking that disciplined restraint can produce comparable benefits. In a Roman ethical register, thrift aligns with moderation and prudence, virtues that protect both household stability and public integrity.