Where did "there are 2 sides..." originate?

"There are two sides to every story"

Does anyone know if this old expression has an actual author, or did it just evolve?

It may have started out as "There are two sides to every coin" or "There are two sides to every question". I have learned so far:

THERE ARE TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY (COIN) - "There's always a different point of view, which is entitled to be heard. The proverb has been traced back in English to 1742, and is first attested in the United States in the 1802 'Diary and Autobiography of John Adams' and an 1817 letter of Thomas Jefferson. The proverb was first expressed in ancient times, as far back as 485-410 B.C. Protagoras said that 'there are two sides to every question.' In about 428 B.B., Euripides said, 'In a case of dissension, never dare to judge till you've heard the other side.' The word argument, coin, everything, question or quarrel may replace (every) story." From "Random House Dictionary of Popular Proverbs and Sayings" by Gregory Y. Titelman (Random House, New York, 1996).

(from: http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_b...ages/653.html)

Thanks for any feedback...

..........

[Tdol]

Sadly, my Oxford English Dictionary CD has decided to stop working. I'll try to reinstall and see if they have anything to offer on this.

Thanks tdol -- if you come up with any additional info, please let me know. Good luck with the re-install...

[Tdol]

Originally Posted by Steve A. Reno

Thanks tdol -- if you come up with any additional info, please let me know. Good luck with the re-install...

I've tried and it still doesn't work. I think it may need an update, so it's time to go shopping.