This informant loves this proverb and he constantly would say this to me this semester. One day, when we were walking to a cafe we were trying to figure out a way to get through to another side the street in a quicker way. Once we figured it out, this is when he used the proverb.

This proverb means that two minds thinking together are often better than one mind thinking alone. It then suggests that collaborative thinking is a precious thing. The proverb was first recorded in John Heywood’s essay in 1546. The proverb then shows up in the Bible as well. Both use the phrase metaphorical to mean that it is better to work together and get multiple opinions and as well the work will be done quicker.

John Heywood’s A dialogue conteinyng the nomber in effect of all the prouerbes in the Englishe tongue, 1546:

Some heades haue taken two headis better then one:
But ten heads without wit, I wene as good none.

Ecclesiastes, 4:9, in in Miles Coverdale’s Bible, 1535:

Therfore two are better then one, for they maye well enioye the profit of their laboure.

Source/URL: http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/two-heads-are-better-than-one.html