Meaning: The saying treats April and May as decisive months for what the rest of the year will yield. Keys picture their conditions as opening or closing later possibilities.
Meaning: The saying imagines Candlemas as the point when candles can be put aside. Throwing away the candle and holder exaggerates a sense of reduced need for them.
Meaning: Favourable conditions now do not remove the value of reasonable preparation for a change. The cloak image encourages a proportionate precaution, rather than expecting every pleasant situation to turn bad or carrying every possible safeguard.
Meaning: Saving a small amount can be a poor bargain if it creates a much larger cost. Judge the total consequences of a decision rather than only the immediate saving.
