I'll keep no more cats than will catch mice.

Understand the thought

Meaning in plain English

An arrangement should serve the purpose for which it is maintained. The cats-and-mice image questions keeping more than is useful, without reducing people or living creatures to a measure of productivity.

What the words are saying

The speaker connects keeping cats with the work of catching mice. Figuratively, a practice or resource may be continued out of habit even when it no longer serves its intended purpose. A useful response identifies that purpose before deciding whether to retain, adapt or simplify the arrangement. Some benefits are indirect or take time to become visible, and care can be valuable apart from an immediate return. The proverb therefore needs a limited application. It can question unnecessary procedures or duplicated equipment, but it should not define the worth of a person, justify neglect of an animal or make every relationship a transaction.

Everyday example

A club replaces three overlapping sign-up forms with one after checking which information is actually needed to organise its meetings.

When to use it

Use it when a maintained procedure or resource needs its purpose reconsidered.

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