The paradox of thrift teaches that the best way to be prepared for this unenviable situation is not to prepare for it at all. To the contrary, the best preparation is not that of accumulating income to mitigate the possible hardships, but to consume as much as possible. Insurance against disaster will ultimately destroy the wealth of the family. The accumulation of wealth is the destruction of wealth according to the paradox of thrift. In this regard, man behaves like many animals.
Man differs from the squirrel in one respect, however.
Man can invest. Man can create larger future harvests by investing part of the seed corn to grow more corn for next year. If man and the squirrel do not provide for the future, they do not survive the future. So saving is important for man as well as animals. In this regard the paradox of thrift is unnatural.