This reveals his extreme avarice and lack of love and affection for his own son. It highlights his prioritization of material wealth over familial bonds, making him appear ridiculous and out of touch with human emotions.
Other phrases that might contribute to his portrayal as foolish include:
* "The devil take it, if only I had a good appetite!" (Illustrates his miserly nature to the point of depriving himself of basic needs.)
* "I'd rather have a hundred thousand crowns than a thousand children!" (Demonstrates his obsession with money and his disregard for family.)
* "Ah, if only I could eat gold!" (Highlights his obsession with wealth and his inability to see the value of other things.)
These phrases, along with his actions throughout the play, paint Harpagon as a character driven by an unreasonable and ultimately self-destructive obsession with money, making him appear foolish and unlikeable.