“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up. Again, if two lie together, they are warm; but how can one be warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him. A threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 The book of Ecclesiastes can be a difficult read if one is trying to understand it word by word. Much like reading Shakespeare’s plays, one must look at the theme of the passage one is reading. In today’s words, the theme is the value of having others around on which to lean instead of always being the lone wolf. That lone wolf may prove strong and plenty able to handle himself, but he will without doubt reach a point in which he needs others. The sad fact is that he has probably alienated all those others and it’s unlikely he will receive much assistance even if he calls out for it. How much like that wolf are we? Sure, a degree of independence is pretty much required to navigate through some channels of life, but as the burdens become heavier and heavier, that tonnage will break even the strongest of backs. It is especially in the heavier times that it’s good to have a real friend, one whose word or touch or even just their presence tends to relieve that weight.