A CARTER was driving a wagon along a country lane, when the wheels sank down deep into a rut. The rustic driver, stupefied and aghast, stood looking at the wagon, and did nothing but utter loud cries to Hercules to come and help him. Hercules, it is said, appeared and thus addressed him: "Put your shoulders to the wheels, my man. Goad on your bullocks, and never more pray to me for help, until you have done your best to help yourself, or depend upon it you will henceforth pray in vain."
Self-help is the best help.
有一位车夫赶着车沿着乡间小道前行，突然，车轮陷进了深深的车辙里，无法前进了。愚蠢的车夫顿时手足无措，只能大声呼喊大力神来帮忙。大力神听到他的呼救后，对他说：“你用肩膀用力顶着车轮，然后抽打马匹前进就可以把车子拉出来了。你遇到困难，不想解决的办法，只求我有什么用呢？”
求人不如求己。