When first thy sire to send on earth Virtue, his darling child, designed, To thee he gave the heavenly birth, And bade thee form her infant mind. Stern rugged nurse, thy rigid lore With patience many a year she bore; What sorrow was thou bad’st her know, And, from her own, she learned to melt at other’s woe.

Meaning: The saying contrasts an Argus-like watcher at home with a mole abroad. It pictures someone sharply observant in familiar surroundings but much less perceptive elsewhere.

Meaning: An observer who appears inattentive may still be aware of what is happening. The cat’s momentary wink warns against treating a brief lapse in visible attention as proof that nothing has been noticed.

Meaning: The saying praises allowing anger to pass rather than keeping a grievance alive. Its moral judgement is too simple: lasting anger does not by itself show that someone lacks good character.

Meaning: Managing one’s own impulses or habits can be a significant achievement. Conquest pictures inward effort, encouraging self-direction without requiring harsh self-criticism, denial of legitimate needs or complete control over every feeling.