Proverb: 'Wretched indeed is the lot of one who serves at court' — i.e. working for others (especially officials/superiors) is miserable; better to be independent.
父はよく『すまじきものは宮仕え』と言って、独立を勧めた。
My father often said 'すまじきものは宮仕え', encouraging independence.
会社の理不尽さに疲れ、彼女は同僚に『すまじきものは宮仕え』と漏らした。
Tired of the company's unfairness, she murmured to a colleague, 'すまじきものは宮仕え.'