Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fatted ox and hatred with it. (a) Going it alone or sharing with others (vv. 9–12). The opening words—“two are better than one”—may be merely the statement of a general principle or they may refer to some particular relationship such as a business partnership. We must not assume that he had in mind the marriage relationship, however obvious that may be to us as