The Compleat ^Angler 



shall, like an ancient family, be either an honour or an ornament 

 to this virtuous art which 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 commend- 

 ation which I think it deserves. 



And for that, I shall tell you, that in ancient times a debate hath 

 arisen, and it remains yet unresolved : 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 infinite- 

 ness, eternity, power, and goodness, 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 appear in their commentaries upon the 

 words of our Saviour to Martha (Luke 10. 41, 42). 



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 physic, 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, ingenious, quiet, and harmless 

 art of angling. 



And first, I shall tell you what some have observed (and I have 

 found it to be a real truth) that the very sitting by the river's side 

 is not only the quietest and fittest place for contemplation, but will 

 invite an angler to it : and this seems to be maintained by the learned 

 Pet. Du Moulin, who (in his discourse of the fulfilling of prophecies) 

 observes, that when God intended to reveal any future events or high 



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