Often the public forms an idea of inspiration that is almost a religious notion. Alas! I do not believe that inspiration falls from heaven. I think it rather the result of a profound indolence and of our incapacity to put to work certain forces in ourselves. These unknown forces work deep within us with the aid of the elements of daily life-its scenes and passions, and ... when the work that makes itself in us and in spite of us demands to be born, we can believe that that work comes to us from beyond and is offered us by the gods.