Do not all the achievements of a poet's predecessors and contemporaries rightfully belong to him? Why should he shrink from picking flowers where he finds them? Only by making the riches of the others our own do we bring anything great into being.
The quote emphasizes the interconnectedness of literary inspiration among poets and writers. It suggests that a poet should not hesitate to draw upon the accomplishments of those who came before and alongside him. Instead of viewing this as plagiarism, the author argues that it is a natural part of the creative process to incorporate and build upon the ideas and insights of others.
By doing so, artists can create something significant and original. The idea is that greatness arises from collaboration and the sharing of resources within a literary community. Thus, rather than isolating oneself, embracing the collective achievements of predecessors fosters innovation and contributes to the evolving tapestry of literature.
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Other quotes in Bandersnatch: C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, and the Creative Collaboration of the Inklings
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All the things you can talk about in anyone's work are the things that are least important.
Race of Cain, ascend to heaven, And cast God down upon the earth!
