Explaining "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step"

Reviewed and edited by

Anwar Kareem 06/10/2024, 18:41

English.me team member

What does it mean?

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

The phrase means that great achievements or long endeavors start with a simple first step. It emphasizes the importance of taking action to begin any task, no matter how daunting it may seem.

Tone

Encouraging

Origin

This is a famous proverb believed to have originated from the Chinese philosopher Laozi in the Tao Te Ching.

Examples of usage

Although writing a book seems overwhelming, just remember that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, so start with just one page.
He was unsure about starting his own business, but his mentor reminded him that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
When tackling a major life change, keep in mind that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, so take it one day at a time.