Cf. [1577 J. Grange Golden Aphroditis M1] Who will the fruyte that haruest yeeldes, must take the payne.
He that would eat the Fruit must climb the Tree.
[1721 J. Kelly Scottish Proverbs 141]
It is a proverb, ‘He that would eat the fruit must first climb the tree and get it’: but when that fruit is honey, he that wants it must first cut it down.
[1843 ‘R. Carlton’ New Purchase I. xxiv.]
‘Son, are you one of those who like to eat the fruit and then walk away from the tree?’ ‘I want to marry her.’
[1970 V. Canning Great Affair xiv.]
Related to: wanting and having
Bibliography of major proverb collections and works cited from modern editions is available here.
