What does Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after mean?

Answer 1

well, heres an exerpt of a draft of an essay I wrote on it ...Thoreau means that what people are failing to notice is that what we really want is the experience of doing something, and the good feeling of accomplishment that accompanies something. Thoreau uses the example of fishing to make his statement, most people who go out fishing believe that they are going out to fish, when in fact they are most usually going out have the fishing experience. People are going out fishing to learn patience, and to see the beauty of the water where the fish are. Sometimes they are going out for feeling of success that comes with catching a fish, and throw the fish back in the water, other times they are going just for the time of quiet reflection that you get while fishing. Also this suggestion is not restricted to fishing it applies to all parts of life; it's the journey not the destination...