A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
📜 Origin
《老子》
💡 Detailed Explanation
"A journey of a thousand li begins with a single step" comes from Chapter 64 of the Laozi. Literally, it means that to travel a thousand li, one starts from the first step under one's feet. Its deeper meaning is that any great undertaking or lofty goal must begin with the small matters at hand and the first step, emphasizing the importance of accumulation and practice. It is used in a wide range of contexts, often to encourage people not to reach for too much too soon but to keep their feet on the ground and start with the little things; it is also used to caution others not to neglect foundational work. In terms of cultural background, it reflects the Daoist dialectical idea of "doing nothing yet leaving nothing undone," as well as the wisdom in traditional Chinese culture of valuing practice and accumulating small amounts to achieve much. Its emotional tone is relatively neutral, carrying a sense of encouragement and admonition, and it can be used both for self-motivation and for teaching others.
📝 Example
1. If you want to become a writer, then start writing five hundred words every day from today—a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. (A metaphor meaning that a great goal must be pursued starting from the first step.)
2. There is no shortcut to learning a foreign language—a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. First, memorize the basic vocabulary before anything else. (A metaphor meaning that great undertakings should begin with small tasks, and one should not rush for quick success.)