Share a proverb you think is completely wrong and make your case.

Hello,

I am back. I had a short break from writing.

“Two heads are better than one” means two people are better than one for solving the problem. Well, it is not wrong. But I think it depends on the situation.

In Japanese, it literally translates as “Three heads are better than one” (三人寄れば文殊の知恵).

Two or three? Which is better?

Gathering more people would lead to better ideas and solving a problem easily. Of course, I am saying this on the premise that we respect each other.

But wait. I know another Japanese proverb, “Everyone is different.” It is literally, “ten people, ten colors” (十人十色).

When countries and cultures are different, so are many ways of thinking.

What do you think?

 

ちょっと間があいてしまったけど、戻ってきました。

「Two heads are better than one」は、直訳で「二つの頭は一つの頭よりも優れている」。問題を解決するには、一人より二人の方が良いという意味です。まあ、間違いではないけど、状況によるんじゃないかな。

日本語では、これを「三人寄れば文殊の知恵」と訳します。

二人か三人か、 どちらが良いのでしょうか?

より多くの人が集まれば、良いアイデアが生まれて、問題を簡単に解決できるかと。もちろん、これはお互い尊重することが前提。

でも、ちょっと考えてみたんですが、「十人十色」という別のことわざ(四字熟語)もあります。

国や文化が違えば、考え方も様々。

皆さんはどう思いますか?

 

Photo by 写真AC

@liliflorida on Tumblr

 


6 responses to “Share a proverb you think is completely wrong and make your case.”

  1. aniruddhakaul Avatar

    When we collaborate whether two or three, it strict rules of discipline are not observed, it will result into chaos, confusion and waste of time, possibly ego battles

    1. LILI FLORIDA Avatar

      That’s right. I’ve experienced that…😅

  2. vermavkv Avatar

    This is a really thoughtful return to writing.

    What I like most is how you don’t just present proverbs—you set them in conversation with each other. “Two heads are better than one,” “three heads are better than one,” and then “ten people, ten colors” creates a kind of natural progression from collaboration to diversity. It feels like you’re gently widening the lens as you go.

    1. LILI FLORIDA Avatar

      Proverbs are interesting. I liked reading proverbs and quotes when I was a kid 🙂 Some of them reflect cultural differences.

      For example, ”The squeaky wheel gets the grease” and “The nail that sticks out gets hammered down.”

      In America, if you complain or have something you want to say, speak up in public. In Japan, being different is not welcome in a group.

  3. I think you made a very thoughtful point. While “two heads are better than one” or “three heads are better than one” often helps in problem-solving, it is not always true in every situation. Sometimes too many opinions can create confusion instead of clarity. That’s why “ten people, ten colors” feels very real everyone thinks differently based on their culture and experience.

    In my view, it’s not about the number of people, but about mutual respect and understanding in the group.

    1. LILI FLORIDA Avatar

      Yes, I agree. Why three heads instead of two heads? Probably when two persons can’t agree, the third person can step in as a mediator. Japanese people usually avoid conflict. Proverbs reflect cultural differences 🙂

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