from ARABIC CALLIGRAPHY: NASKH SCRIPT FOR BEGINNERS

[zirconium]

(by Mustafa Ja'far, British Museum/McGraw-Hill, 2002)

The famous Persian calligrapher, Mir 'Ali of Herat (d. 1556), gave the following advice to those embarking on the task: "The calligrapher needs five things: a fine temperament, an understanding of calligraphy, a good hand, the ability to endure pain and a perfect set of implements."

- from the introduction by Venetia Porter, Department of Oriental Antiquities, British Museum

[I don't really agree with this -- especially not the "perfect set of implements" -- but it does amuse me.]