The voices / 42 fragments

Izaak Walton

1593 AD — 1683 AD

Listed in the author section of Bartlett’s ninth-edition anthology, in the linked 1905 printing. Dates reflect that historical edition and may differ from modern scholarship.

Author and source reference ↗

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Historical source references

The Complete Angler
Life of Donne
Life of Herbert
The Angler
Conscience · anthology attribution: Izaak Walton
Mirth · anthology attribution: Izaak Walton
Page 13 · printed citation: Izaak Walton · subject: Angling
Page 230 · printed citation: Izaak Walton · subject: Riches
Printed page 29 · quotation 20 · Izaak Walton · The Compleat Angler
Printed page 30 · quotation 5 · Izaak Walton · The Compleat Angler
Printed page 30 · quotation 6 · Izaak Walton · The Compleat Angler
Printed page 30 · quotation 8 · Izaak Walton · The Compleat Angler
Printed page 30 · quotation 9 · Izaak Walton · The Compleat Angler
Quote1457 · printed citation: IZAAK WALTON: The Complete Angler

Archive entries

01Undated

He that loses his conscience has nothing left that is worth keeping. Therefore be sure you look to that, and in the next place look to your health; and if you have it praise God and value it next to a good conscience.

Izaak Walton / quote

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02Undated

I love such mirth as does not make friends ashamed to look upon one another next morning.

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03Undated

He that reads Plutarch shall find that angling was not contemptible in the days of Mark Antony and Cleopatra.

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04Undated

I have a rich neighbor that is always so busy that he has no leisure to laugh; the whole business of his life is to get money, more money, that he may still get more. He is still drudging, saying what Solomon says, "The diligent hand maketh rich." And it is true, indeed; but he considers not that it is not in the power of riches to make a man happy; for it was wisely said by a man of great observation that "there be as many miseries beyond riches as on this side of them."

Izaak Walton / quote

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05Undated

I shall stay him no longer than to wish * * * that if he be an honest angler, the east wind may never blow when he goes a fishing.

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06Undated

Thus use your frog: * * * put your hook, I mean the arming wire, through his mouth, and out at his gills, and then with a fine needle and silk sow the upper part of his leg with only one stitch to the arming wire of your hook, or tie the frog's leg above the upper joint to the armed wire; and in so doing use him as though you loved him.

Izaak Walton / quote

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07Undated

O! the gallant fisher's life, :It is the best of any: 'Tis full of pleasure, void of strife, :And 'tis beloved by many. :::Other joys :::Are but toys; :::Only this, :::Lawful is; :::For our skill :::Breeds no ill, But content and pleasure.

Izaak Walton / quote

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08Undated

Of recreation there is none So free as fishing is, alone; All other pastimes do not less Than mind and body, both possess: My hand alone my work can do; So I can fish and study too.

Izaak Walton / quote

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09Undated

The first men that our Saviour dear Did choose to wait upon Him here, Blest fishers were; and fish the last Food was, that He on earth did taste: I therefore strive to follow those, Whom He to follow Him hath chose.

Izaak Walton / quote

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10Undated

Of recreation there is none So free as Fishing is alone; All other pastimes do no less Than mind and body both possess: My hand alone my work can do, So I can fish and study too.

Izaak Walton / quote

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11Undated

That which is everybody's business is nobody's business.

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12Undated

God never did make a more calm quiet innocent recreation than angling.

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13Undated

Health is ... a blessing that money cannot buy.

Izaak Walton / quote

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14Undated

Good company in a journey makes the way to seem the shorter.

Izaak Walton / quote

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15Undated

I have laid aside business, and gone a'fishing.

Izaak Walton / quote

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16Undated

Those little nimble musicians of the air, that warble forth their curious ditties, with which nature hath furnished them to the shame of art.

Izaak Walton / quote

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17Undated

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter.

Izaak Walton / quote

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18Undated

God has two dwellings; one in heaven, and the other in a meek and thankful heart.

Izaak Walton / quote

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Izaak Walton

Archive entries

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Meditations

The Republic

Tao Te Ching