The artist is of no importance. Only what he creates is important, since there is nothing new to be said. Shakespeare, Balzac, Homer have all written about the same things, and if they had lived one thousand or two thousand years longer, the publishers wouldn't have needed anyone since.

Summary

This quote suggests that the individuality or fame of an artist is not significant. What matters more is the creation itself, as there are no new ideas or topics left to explore. It implies that renowned writers like Shakespeare, Balzac, and Homer have already covered all possible subjects, and even if they were alive today, their work would still satisfy readers' needs. The quote emphasizes the timeless nature of certain works and questions the necessity of new artists when existing ones have already addressed all aspects of human experience.

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