- English translation
Even an egg would be lifted by two people if it had handles.
- Literal wording
If the egg had two ears, two people would carry it.
- Meaning and lesson
The proverb praises cooperation by imagining an egg with ear-like handles, so that two people could take hold of it. Shared effort is presented as sensible and orderly, even for a small, light task.
It suggests that work is often managed more wisely when responsibility is divided and each person can contribute. The image is figurative, not a literal claim that an egg is difficult to lift or requires two carriers.
- When it is used
Use it to commend people who share a task or to encourage collaboration rather than leaving work to one person. It suits situations where two participants can contribute usefully, even when the job appears small or easy.
Cite or copy proverb
How this record reached us: Editorially sourced.
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