Òrìsà tí 'ńgbe ọle kòsí; apá ẹní ní ńgbe ni.

A god that comes to the aid of a shiftless person does not exist; his best support is his hands.

Sitting back and expecting help from others is pointless; a man should work to achieve his objectives. Putting the responsibility for your success in other people's hands spells failure. The book of II Chronicles expresses this Yoruba proverb beautifully: “Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded."