Who said “We may say of angling, as Dr. Boteler said of strawberries, ''Doubtless God could have…”?

Verified

Izaak Walton. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceThe Compleat Angler (1653-1655), Part I, ch. 5. Referring to William Butler, styled by Dr. Fuller in his "Worthies" (Suffolk) the "Æsculapius of our age." He died in 1621. This first appeared in the second edition of "The Angler," 1655.

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“We may say of angling, as Dr. Boteler said of strawberries, ''Doubtless God could have made a better berry, but doubtless God never did''; and so, if I might be judge, God never did make a more calm, quiet, innocent recreation than angling.”
— Izaak Walton
VerifiedThe Compleat Angler (1653-1655), Part I, ch. 5. Referring to William Butler, styled by Dr. Fuller in his "Worthies" (Suffolk) the "Æsculapius of our age." He died in 1621. This first appeared in the second edition of "The Angler," 1655. · evidenceFishing
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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: The Compleat Angler (1653-1655), Part I, ch. 5. Referring to William Butler, styled by Dr. Fuller in his "Worthies" (Suffolk) the "Æsculapius of our age." He died in 1621. This first appeared in the second edition of "The Angler," 1655..

APA

Walton, I. (n.d.). We may say of angling, as Dr. Boteler said of strawberries, ''Doubtless God could have made a better berry, but doubtless God never did''; and so, if I might be judge, God never did make a more calm, quiet, innocent recreation than angling. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/18007-we-may-say-of-angling-as-dr-boteler/

MLA

Walton, Izaak. “We may say of angling, as Dr. Boteler said of strawberries, ''Doubtless God could have made a better berry, but doubtless God never did''; and so, if I might be judge, God never did make a more calm, quiet, innocent recreation than angling.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/18007-we-may-say-of-angling-as-dr-boteler/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Walton, Izaak. “We may say of angling, as Dr. Boteler said of strawberries, ''Doubtless God could have made a better berry, but doubtless God never did''; and so, if I might be judge, God never did make a more calm, quiet, innocent recreation than angling.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/18007-we-may-say-of-angling-as-dr-boteler/.

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