Friday 6 August 2010

Study to be quiet


The much quoted motto "Study to be quiet" appears in Izaak Walton's book "The Compleat Angler", published in 1653.  On the surface this is a book all about fish and fishing but closer reading reveals philosophy and politics amongst the songs, stories and anecdotes.  He revised and added to the book several times and the original 13 chapters expanded to 21 in the final version. Who knew there was so much to be said about fishing?!

He lived in Winchester, in the Cathedral Close, died there and is buried in the Fisherman's Chapel in the south transept.  This stained glass window shown on this postcard, bought during the 1980s, is above his tomb.

The motto will have recalled not only the quotation from the Bible but also a book by George Webbe:
"The practice of quietnes. Or A direction how to live quietly at all times, in all places, upon all occasions, and how to avoid or put off, all occasions of unquietnesse.  Delivered in six sermons at Steeple Ashton in Wiltshire by George Webbe, preacher of the word and pastor there."
I can only be grateful not to have had to listen to six sermons on how to be quiet.

This is a post for Postcard Friday, which is hosted by Beth Niquette at The Best Hearts are Crunchy.
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14 comments:

  1. Oh, you made me laugh with this post. Especially that last comment. I'm with you. lol

    Happy PFF!

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  2. By the way--in those days people would listen to a sermon for six or more hours. EEeeeek!

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  3. Wonderful card and story. I can't sit for six hours ... can't imagine! I remember fishing with my Daddy -- the quiet was wonderful. Happy PFF.

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  4. Great story and wonderful postcard. I can only be quiet for so long...

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  5. It's good to be quiet, for many reasons (like not putting one's foot in one's mouth0 but not six sermons worth!!!! Oh dear.

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  6. Sitting by a riverbank sounds much more tempting than the sermons. Love the window

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  7. I too would have a hard time listening to sermons on being quiet... wonderful history. Happy PFF thanks for sharing!

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  8. I have to agree with all, six sermons. Love your card, and who knew indeed that there was so much to say about fishing. It can be an obsession though, my husbands uncle it a daily thing. When he can't fish because of the weather, God help us, he certainly doesn't sit quietly.

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  9. Love the postcard and explanation!

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  10. I think just contemplating this image is calming, forget the sermons. Happy PFF!

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  11. Aren't all riverbank fishermen philosophers at Six sermons seem rather too many!

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  12. Anyone wonder how pastors were able to come up with "6 HOURS" of material for sermons?

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  13. I've never heard the phrase "study to be quiet". It's a nice sentiment, but oh how hard. I just get a poster of this made for my sister-in-law (having just spent the morning with her) - she never shuts up!

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  14. Cool card...Away from it all...:)

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