English Original
A waggoner was driving his team along a muddy lane with a full load behind them, when the wheels of his wagon sank so deep in the mire that no efforts of his horses could move them. As he stood there, looking helplessly on, and calling loudly at intervals upon Hercules for assistance, the god himself appeared, and said to him, "Put your shoulder to the wheel, man, and goad on your horses, and then you may call on Hercules to assist you. If you won't lift a finger to help yourself, you can't expect Hercules or any one else to come to your aid."
Heaven helps those who help themselves.
中文翻译
一名车夫赶着他的马队，沿着一条泥泞的小路前行，车上满载货物。突然，马车的轮子深深陷入了泥沼，任凭他的马儿如何努力也无法移动分毫。车夫站在那里，无助地看着，并时不时地大声向赫拉克勒斯呼救。这时，神祇亲自现身，对他说：“伙计，用你的肩膀顶住车轮，鞭策你的马儿前进，然后你才可以向赫拉克勒斯求助。如果你自己连一根手指都不愿意动，就别指望赫拉克勒斯或任何其他人会来帮助你。”
天助自助者。