Two there were, says the text; but why neither more nor fewer? For surely Moses once had sent twelve, Num. 13 (and above, bk. 1 ch. 8); and one [man] can explore all [things] most safely. Why, then, could Moses send more? The cause is, because then there was less of suspicion of them, since all [things] were peaceful, and tranquil from all war and rumor of war. But now, since [it] was established [constaret] that huge forces of the Israelites were already present, [and] had lately produced the greatest slaughters of the Amorites, and had occupied the whole region — all [things] were more suspect. So that, with so great a number, foreigners and unknown [men], [it is] no [wonder] that they should be judged spies, [and] could not advance — since even these two were apprehended. Then, they [the Mosaic twelve] were sent from the whole people, to survey the whole land and nation, and studiously to contemplate [it]; but these [are sent] only to a nearby city and neighboring place. And twelve were those, because [they were] chosen tribe-by-tribe [tributim], and delegated [emandati]. But to send one [only] was — as to suspicions indeed and dangers — safer; but not as to the faith [reliability] and dexterity of the exploration. For two see more than one; they remember all [things] better, weigh [them] more accurately, confer more certainly among themselves, deliberate and speak about them. And by two [it is] more believed than by one. And in the very journeys they mutually excite [rouse], teach, [and] confirm each other. “Better [it] is, therefore,” says Ecclesiastes ch. 4:9, “that two be together than one. For they have the emolument [profit] of their society. If one shall fall, he shall be supported by the other. Woe to the solitary [one], because when he shall have fallen, he has none to lift him up.” And Aristotle teaches [it], Ethics bk. 8 at the beginning; and his own Master [Doctor] Plato,
(col. 322)
—in the Protagoras: [that] firmer and better sentences [decisions] are decided by more [men] than by one. Whence that Homeric [saying], [praised] by Cicero, bk. 9 ad Familiares and bk. 9 ad Atticum, is praised so often: σύν τε δύ᾽ ἐρχομένω [syn te dy’ erchomenō, “two going together” — Iliad 10.224] — which, because it agrees most with this place, I will report in the Latin verses from Iliad 10. For, to explore what the Trojans were contriving against the Greeks, Diomedes offers himself of his own accord — a youth and robust — but so, that he postulates [demands] these [conditions] of a companion:
“But to me, if some other should come [as] companion, that one would be a solace; and there would be at the same time greater confidence, if two go joined together. Then this one perceives before that one, if anything needs to be done. But he who [is] alone and one — although he perceive [it], yet [his] mind [is] slower, and his counsel thin [meager].” [Iliad 10.222–226.]