Why Should I Edit?

[Leanne]

The quote doesn't say effort. Maybe he did at some point, but the quote says instruments, eg talent and knowledge. So you an try all you want but if you have to no skill you'll still be a shit poet

The quote says that no matter how good the idea (subject) without the right instruments (talent, poetic knowledge(which giving and getting critique can help with)) the poem and poet will not be praise worth.

You have go put forth effort to get the tools of course....

Perhaps I'm reading too much into a single quote because I'm familiar with its context, which is why I attribute the quote (aside from it being properly good form) -- I tend to expect that if anyone wants to argue what a quote means, they would go to the source. But then again, we live in the age of memes and soundbites, so perhaps that's just inconsiderate of me.

"I mean, for example, the precepts of grammar and rhetoric, an abundant knowledge of which is required. I grant that many a man already writes his mother tongue admirably, and indeed has performed each of the various duties of poetry as such; yet over and above this, it is necessary to know at least the principles of the other liberal arts, both moral and natural, to possess a strong and abundant vocabulary, to be familiar with the monuments and relics of ancient civilizations, to have in one's memory the histories of the nations, and to be familiar with the geography of various lands, of seas, rivers and mountains."

Such knowledge and understanding does not fall, perfectly formed, from the milky bosom of the benevolent muse. Boccaccio, while agreeing with his zeitgeist and accepting talent as being from God, also argues that to rely purely upon what you have been given without improving it is vain and foolish. It's rather like being given a Thoroughbred colt and expecting it to win the Melbourne Cup just because you've put your nicest colours on it.

Lizzie, ALL of my students are problem students. You ask questions and keep returning, which puts you in the "not too shit to waste time on" bracket I will send you some laurels in the mail, but don't rest on them, they'll poke you in your buttocks.