He who would have a hare for breakfast must hunt over night.

A desired result may require effort well before the moment you hope to enjoy it. The breakfast image makes the timing plain: the work cannot wait until the meal is due.

The proverb encourages advance preparation rather than a last-minute attempt to secure something that takes time and effort to obtain.

Use it to urge someone to begin preparing before a deadline or anticipated opportunity. It suits situations where waiting until the desired result is needed would leave too little time to achieve it.