In the book "Ego Is the Enemy," Ryan Holiday recounts a conversation between the poet Mallarmé and the artist Degas. Mallarmé emphasizes the importance of language in creating poetry, suggesting that ideas alone are insufficient. He asserts that the craft of poetry relies on the careful selection and arrangement of words, highlighting the tangible aspect of language in the artistic process.
This dialogue illustrates a broader theme regarding the relationship between creativity and the execution of artistic vision. While ideas might serve as inspiration, it is the precise use of language that brings those ideas to life, underlining the necessity of skill and technique in the arts.