A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
📜 Origin
《老子》
💡 Detailed Explanation
"A journey of a thousand miles" comes from Chapter 64 of the Laozi: "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Literally, it means a thousand-mile journey starts from the first step under one's feet. Its deeper meaning is that any great undertaking or lofty goal must begin with the first step at hand, emphasizing the importance of practice, accumulation, and action. It is used in a wide range of contexts: it can encourage others to dare to begin and to be down-to-earth, and it can also be used for self-encouragement, reminding oneself not to reach too high or aim too far beyond one's grasp. In terms of cultural background, it reflects the Daoist idea of "doing nothing yet leaving nothing undone," that is, following nature, starting from small things, and ultimately achieving great things. Its emotional tone is relatively neutral, often carrying a sense of encouragement, admonition, or philosophical insight, inspiring people to value beginnings and persevere.
📝 Example
1. If you want to become a writer, you must keep writing a little every day. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. (Meaning: A great goal must start with the first step.)
2. Although starting a business is difficult, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Let's start with a small project first. (Meaning: A great undertaking must begin with small steps.)