Before you realize this truth , say the yogis , you will always be in despair , a notion nicely expressed in this exasperated line from the greek stoic philosopher epictetus : " you bear god within you , poor wretch , and know it not . "
" - But those are words of bad omen . - " No word is a word of bad omen , " said epictetus , " which expresses any work of nature ; or if it is so , it is also a word of bad omen to speak of the ears of corn being reaped .