Better brain than brawn.
Better brain than brawn.
Meaning in plain English
The saying prefers brain to brawn. It values thought or judgment over reliance on physical force alone.
Example
A team asks what understanding would improve its approach before relying on greater effort alone.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
The two body-related labels compress a choice of approach. A useful interpretation considers what the task needs without ranking people’s dignity by intellectual or physical ability. Strength can matter, and thought is not automatically adequate for every problem.
When to use it
Use it to compare approaches without ranking human worth.
Keep in mind
No universal superiority of one capacity or complete solution through thought is established.
Edsverb editorial interpretation · agent reviewed · 2026-10-05. This explains the saying; it does not establish its historical origin.
- Source
- Contributor-provided proverb reference
Supplied reference A; unit 770; PDF page 110
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Preserved as printed; independently unverified. - Historical coordinate
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