He that's afraid of wounds must not come nigh a battle.

Understand the thought

Meaning in plain English

An undertaking with known hazards may require accepting some exposure to them. Battle and wounds make that point forcefully, without requiring someone to take an unreasonable risk or treating caution as cowardice.

What the words are saying

The battle represents an activity whose dangers cannot simply be removed by wishing them away. Someone who enters it may encounter the very outcome they fear. Figuratively, the proverb asks whether a person understands what participating involves before committing. Its practical value is preparation and a considered choice, rather than a demand to ignore danger. Risks can sometimes be reduced, and declining an undertaking may be sensible. The image does not establish that every ambitious project is dangerous or that people must endure injury to prove their courage. Assessing the particular hazard matters more than admiring the language of battle.

Everyday example

An amateur performer worries about making a mistake on stage, rehearses the difficult section and decides whether the small public performance is a challenge they want to take on.

When to use it

Use it when discussing whether the demands of an undertaking fit someone’s willingness to participate.

Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.