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.

What the words are saying

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.

Everyday example

A craft organiser makes use of donated offcuts for a workshop but asks permission before taking materials reserved for another group’s project.

When to use it

Use it about broad resourcefulness or opportunism, making the intended judgement clear.

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