Many hands make light work
Meaning: Tasks are easier when shared among many people.
Origin: John Heywood's 1546 collection gives "Many hands make light work," and the saying was already old then: a version appears in the medieval romance Sir Bevis of Hampton. It suits any job that shrinks when it is shared, from harvests to washing up.
Equivalents in French, Spanish, Japanese, and German
- French: L'union fait la force (literally: Unity makes strength)
- Spanish: Muchas manos hacen el trabajo ligero (literally: Many hands make work light)
- Japanese: 三人寄れば文殊の知恵 (Sannin yoreba Monju no chie) (literally: Three people together have Manjusri's wisdom)
- German: Viele Hände machen der Arbeit schnell ein Ende (literally: Many hands quickly make an end of the work)
More proverbs about Communication
- What you see is what you get — There's nothing hidden or disguised.
- The customer is always right — In business, the customer's satisfaction takes priority.
- A gentle word opens an iron gate — Kindness and diplomacy can overcome even the most resistant obstacles.
- Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent — Saying nothing is often wiser than speaking without knowledge.
- The tongue has no bones, but it is strong enough to break a heart — Words, though intangible, can inflict deep and lasting wounds.
- A problem shared is a problem halved — Talking about difficulties with others makes them easier to bear and to solve.