A dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

While TWO dogs are fighting for a bone, a third runs away with it
□c 1386 CHAUCER Knight’s Tale 1. 1177 We stryve as dide the houndes for the boon. . . Ther cam a kyte, whil that they were so wrothe, And baar awey the boon betwixe hem bothe. 1534 MORE Dialogue of Comfort (1553) I Aiii^V Now strive there twain for vs, our lord send the grace, that the thyrde dog cary not awaie the bone from them both. 1639 J. CLARKE Parrnmiologia Anglo-Latina 94 Two dogs strive for a bone, and the third runs away with it. 1784 Gazette of State of S. Carolina 17 July 2 Verifying the coarse proverb, while two dogs are fighting for a bone, a third comes and runs away with it. 1983 Practical Computing June 5 While the major companies continue to argue among themselves they are in a poor position to police the rest of the industry. When two alsatians are fighting over a large bone, a passing poodle can easily walk off with it. ■ opportunity, taken
TWO heads are better than one
Similar to FOUR eyes see more than two. Quot. 2001 relies on a slang use of head to mean ‘lavatory’.

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  c 1390 GOWER Confessio Amantis I. 1021 Tuo han more wit then on. 1530 J. PALSGRAVE L^claircissement de la Langue Frangaise 269 Two wyttes be farre better than one. 1546 J. HEYWOOD Dialogue of Proverbs I. ix. C2^V But of these two thynges he wolde determyne none Without ayde. For two hedds are better than one. 1778 S. FOOTE Nabob I. 5 Here comes brother Thomas; two heads are better than one; let us take his opinion. 1979 J. RATHBONE Eurokillers xviii. Two heads are better than one. .. I’d value your advice. 2001 Washington Post 14 July C12 (Jeff MacNelly’s Shoe comic strip)’Roz is having another restroom installed here.’ ‘Then it’s true. Two heads are better than one.’ ■ assistance