He that would catch fish must not mind getting wet.

A worthwhile aim often demands accepting the discomfort, inconvenience, or minor risk that comes with pursuing it. Someone who refuses every unpleasant part of a task may also forfeit the result they want; this concerns ordinary costs, not unreasonable danger.

The image of fishing turns wetness into the necessary cost of success. The saying urges practical resolve: focus on the desired outcome and tolerate manageable hardship rather than expecting achievement without effort. It should not be used to dismiss real burdens or safety concerns.

Use it to encourage someone facing an unavoidable but manageable inconvenience while working toward a valued goal. It suits reluctance about the normal demands of an undertaking, not situations involving serious danger, exploitation, harm, or pressure to accept risks that are not reasonable.