proverb · Words worth keeping
All is fish that comes to his net.
All is fish that comes to his net.
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
Someone may treat everything that comes their way as useful to their purpose. The net makes opportunities seem readily usable, while leaving open whether that resourcefulness is considerate, appropriate or merely self-serving.
Example
A craft organiser makes use of donated offcuts for a workshop but asks permission before taking materials reserved for another group’s project.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
The net gathers what comes within reach, and all is fish presents each catch as usable. Applied to a person, the saying can describe finding an advantage in varied materials, events or suggestions. That may show inventiveness when overlooked resources receive a worthwhile use. It can also suggest indiscriminate opportunism if the person treats everything, including other people’s needs, only as a means to their own end. The context determines which reading fits. A useful interpretation therefore asks not only what can be used, but whether using it is fair, permitted and suited to the purpose. Availability does not create an entitlement.
When to use it
Use it about broad resourcefulness or opportunism, making the intended judgement clear.
Keep in mind
An available opportunity or resource may be unsuitable or belong to someone else; usefulness alone is not permission.
An interpretation of the words, not a claim about their earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- Date unknown
- Culture
- English