A wagoner was once driving a heavy load along a very muddy way. At last
he came to a part of the road where the wheels sank halfway into the
mire, and the more the horses pulled, the deeper sank the wheels. So
the Wagoner threw down his whip, and knelt down and prayed to Hercules
the Strong. “O Hercules, help me in this my hour of distress,” quote
he. But Hercules appeared to him, and said:
“Tut, man, don’t sprawl there. Get up and put your shoulder to the
wheel.”
“THE GODS HELP THEM THAT HELP THEMSELVES.”