Everybody wants success, but not all achieve it. One of the reasons is that there are men who do not exert themselves, but depend on others. But self interest is the best incentive to work. If this interest does not prompt us to do our own works for our own well, we cannot expect others to sacrifice their interests to bring that good to us. Moreover, a work done for other is not generally done so well as a work done by a person himself. Besides, dependence on others destroys self-confidence and does and does not allow the faculties to develop. The result is that we fail in life. The lesson of the proverb is taught by the well-known story of Hercules and the carter. A cart got stuck up in mud. When the bullocks failed to drag it out, the carter prayed to Hercules for help. The god came, but instead of doing anything himself, he told the carter to put his shoulder to the wheel. This was done and the cart moved on. Indeed, no god or goddess will come to our help if we do not help ourselves.

• Written by Aritra Kumar Mishra.
• In category General Reference.
• 14 years ago.

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