two heads are better than one

two heads are better than one

1. Some tasks may be accomplished more easily by two (or more) people working together than by one working alone.
   • 1818, Sir Walter Scott, chapter 8, in Rob Roy:

     "I should think, now, Mr. Francis Osbaldistone was likely to be as effectually, and rather more delicately, supported by my presence than by yours."

     "Oh, certainly; but two heads are better than one, you know."

   • 1882, Horatio Alger, chapter 23, in Ben's Nugget:

     On the principle that two heads are better than one, he resolved to take his companion, Jones, into his confidence and ask him to make a suggestion.

   • 1906, Arthur Quiller-Couch, chapter 17, in The Mayor of Troy:

     Two heads are better than one, sir. We will prosecute our investigations together.

   • 2003 Nov. 9, Nancy Meyers as told to Amy Barrett, "Sex and the Single Older Woman," New York Times (retrieved 25 Feb 2013):

     Collaboration is great for screenwriting. It's not as simple as two heads are better than one, but if you find the right person, you can feed off each other.