28 The Complete Angler 



I profess to love and practise, I shall be the gladder 

 that I made an accidental mention of the antiquity 

 of it, of which I shall say no more, but proceed to 

 that just commendation which I think it deserves. 



And for that, I shall tell you, that in ancient 

 times a debate hath risen, and it remains yet unre- 

 solved, whether the happiness of man in this world 

 doth consist more in contemplation or action? 

 Concerning which, some have endeavoured to 

 maintain their opinion of the first ; by saying, that 

 the nearer we mortals come to God by way of 

 imitation, the more happy we are. And they say, 

 that God enjoys himself only, by a contemplation 

 of his own infiniteness, eternity, power, and good- 

 ness, and the like. And upon this ground, many 

 cloisteral men of great learning and devotion, prefer 

 contemplation before action. And many of the 

 fathers seem to approve this opinion, as may ap- 

 pear in their commentaries upon the words of our 

 Saviour to Martha. 



And on the contrary, there want not men of 

 equal authority and credit, that prefer action to be 

 the more excellent ; as namely, experiments in 

 physick, and the application of it, both for the ease 

 and prolongation of man's life ; by which each man 

 is enabled to act and do good to others, either to 

 serve his country, or do good to particular persons : 

 and they say also, that action is doctrinal, and 

 teaches both art and virtue, and is a maintainer of 

 human society; and for these, and other like 

 reasons, to be preferred before contemplation. 



Concerning which two opinions I shall forbear to 

 add a third, by declaring my own ; and rest myself 

 contented in telling you, my very worthy friend, 

 that both these meet together, and do most properly 

 belong to the most honest, ingenuous, quiet, and 

 harmless art of angling. 



