He needs must go that the devil drives.

The image is of someone being driven forward by the devil: the person moves because the force behind them will not let them remain where they are.

More broadly, the proverb describes action taken under compelling pressure rather than from preference. It emphasizes the lack of a practical choice, not approval of what the person does.

Use it to explain why someone complies with an unwelcome demand or takes a course they would rather avoid. It casts the action as compelled, so it would be misleading where the person has a genuine choice.