A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
📜 Origin
《荀子》
💡 Detailed Explanation
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" comes from Xunzi's "Encouraging Learning." Its literal meaning is: without accumulating half-steps and single steps, one cannot reach a thousand miles away. Its deeper meaning emphasizes the importance of accumulation: any great achievement originates from the continuous gathering of little by little effort. It is used in a wide range of contexts, including study, work, entrepreneurship, and self-cultivation, admonishing people not to reach too high or aim too far, but to stay grounded and persevere. In terms of cultural background, it reflects the Confucian emphasis on practice and gradual progress, and is in the same lineage as idioms such as "Dripping water wears through stone" and "An iron rod can be ground into a needle." Its emotional tone is neutral with a positive leaning, often carrying a sense of encouragement, exhortation, or warning, reminding people to value the process and endure loneliness.
📝 Example
1. There is no shortcut to learning a foreign language. A thousand-mile journey begins with a single step. If you memorize ten words every day, after a year you will be able to read fluently.
2. In the early days of starting a business, don't disdain small orders. A thousand-mile journey begins with a single step. Only by doing every deal well can the company gradually grow stronger.