Meanings of “Two Heads are Better than One”.
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The phrase “two heads are better than one” means two people working together can reach a better solution to the problem than a single person. In other words, more heads are better than one.Origin of “Two Heads are Better than One”.
The phrase “two heads are better than one” was first sighted in the Bible in a chapter, Ecclesiastes, 4:9, published in 1535, where it is stated as; “Therefore, two are better than one” with the addition of the possibility that they may yield good profit.Later, the same notion John Heywood’s popular book, “A Dialogue” about English proverbs, put into words in almost the same way. The book was published in 1546, where it is stated as; “Some heades haue taken two headis better then one. But ten heads without wit, I wene as good none.” Since then, the phrase has been used by various authors and critics to express multiple meanings and experiences after it has molded into standardized spellings.Examples from Literature
Example #1
Two Heads Are Better Than One by Tanya Flatt“His thoughtfulness makes my day beautifulSomething I could never attain without himI’m content with the actuality thatHe had desired my hand toBe his for one nightI forget about the cemetery that liesOn the surface of my skirt covered thighsI wore just for him to take a second-lookHe smiles again and banishes her for the dayMaybe two heads are better than one.”The poem describes the poet’s short but memorable meeting with her lover. This short union makes her feel the real pleasures of life. She never imagined that life could be beautiful for her, too. She seems so much absorbed in his presence that every single object around her loses its attraction. The phrase is used as a metaphor for completeness in the last sentence. The lonely speaker feels different when another person enters her life.Example #2
Bible, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. New International Version (NIV)”“Two are better than one,because they have a good return for their labor:If either of them falls down,one can help the other up.But pity anyone who fallsand has no one to help them up.Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.But how can one keep warm alone?Though one may be overpowered,two can defend themselves.A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”These verses are taken from Miles Coverdale’s Bible, where the phrase has been used in its literal sense. It is believed that two heads are better than one because they can help each other through thick and thin. These verses highlight the importance of having two people together to share their happiness and sorrows. Moreover, one person can easily be defeated; however, to defeat a group one needs to think twice. Therefore, the phrase is used with its literal meanings.Example #3
Which Two Heads Are Better Than One? by Juliet BourkeThe book provides answers to several questions, leading to smarter decisions and healthy conclusions. The writer challenges the conventional speculations about the diversity of thinking and workable solutions to varied problems based on applied and academic research. The writer also discusses these issues in detail to mitigate the impact of informational and social biases effectively. Therefore, the book serves as a complete guide about the formation of inclusive and diverse teams. As it details how leaders act wisely to drive the team’s performance comprehensively, it also shows the use of this phrase in the title to present a metaphorical representation of the phrase.See more: Why Did J.R.R. Tolkien Write The Hobbit And Other Stories Of Middle-Earth?