Robert Christy, comp. Proverbs, Maxims and Phrases of All Ages. 1887.

Net

A new net won’t catch an old bird.Danish.

All is fish that comes to his net.

In vain the net is spread in sight of any bird.Bible.

Nets are for thrushes, eagles are not caught so.Werner.

New nets don’t catch old birds.Spanish.

The net that holds no great, takes little fish.Southwell.

The net was never spread for the hawk or buzzard that hurt us, but for the harmless birds that are good meat.Ben Jonson.

The rough net’s not the best catcher of birds.

When there is no fish in one spot cast your net in another.Chinese.

With never a single hemp thread in his hand he thinks to make a dozen nets. (Trading without capital.)Chinese.