Reason's whole pleasure, all the joys of sense, Lie in three words,—health, peace, and competence.

Meaning: A settlement may avoid the expense and strain of a prolonged dispute. The proverb favours agreement where it is fair and workable, without making cost a reason to abandon protection, accountability or a legitimate claim.

Meaning: People who act from anger may find that trouble follows. Want here concerns lacking trouble, so the saying warns that angry reactions can supply plenty of it without making the emotion itself a moral failure.

Meaning: Endure ordinary difficulties and show restraint toward other people’s faults. Patience and mutual tolerance can keep small frictions from becoming repeated quarrels.

Meaning: A fierce burst of trouble may pass quickly. The saying offers patience during an intense moment, but its confident prediction should not be treated as a guarantee about weather or hardship.