286．不要对所有的人和事都负责

不要对所有的人和事都负责。否则，你将沦为一个奴隶，所有人的奴隶。有的人天生就比其他人更幸运，他们生来就广施恩惠，别人即受惠于他们。你也许会受到诱惑，抛弃自由来换取某样东西，其实，自由更加珍贵。与其把重心放在让许多人依赖你上面，不如让自己独立于众人。手握实权的唯一好处就是你可以凭借它做更多的好事。最重要的一点是，别把责任视作恩惠，一般来说，这是别人的计谋，想达到让你依赖于他的目的。

286．Do not become responsible for all or for everyone

Do not become responsible for all or for everyone, otherwise you become a slave and the slave of all. Some are born more fortunate than others: they are born to do good as others to receive it. Freedom is more precious than any gifts for which you may be tempted to give it up. Lay less stress on making many dependent on you than on keeping yourself independent of any. The sole advantage of power is that you can do more good. Above all do not regard responsibility as a favour, for generally it is another's plan to make one dependent on him.