A rich Athenian was sailing with other passengers. A violent storm arose, and the ship capsized. While the other passengers tried to save themselves by swimming, the Athenian, invoking Athena at every moment, kept promising her offering upon offering if he came through safely. One of the shipwrecked men, swimming beside him, said, "Call on Athena, but use your arms as well."
When we fall into misfortune, we should take pains ourselves to get out of it, and only then beg the help of the divine.
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