Four of Swords

VigilanceRetreatSolitudeHermit's repose

Upright

Vigilance, retreat, solitude, hermit's repose, exile, tomb and coffin. It is these last that have suggested the design.

Reversed

Wise administration, circumspection, economy, avarice, precaution, testament.

A. E. Waite, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot (1911), Part III §2

The picture

The effigy of a knight in the attitude of prayer, at full length upon his tomb.

A. E. Waite, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot (1911), Part III §2

Older readings

A bad card, but if reversed a qualified success may be expected by wise administration of affairs. Reversed: A certain success following wise administration.

A. E. Waite, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot (1911), Part III §4. Waite collected these and says they often disagree with the main meanings.

Waite wrote in 1911 and some of his meanings show it. Tarot is a tradition of reflection, not a prediction, and no card decides anything for you.