“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”: meaning, origin and examples
What it means
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
Where it comes from
This is a famous proverb believed to have originated from the Chinese philosopher Laozi in the Tao Te Ching.
Examples
- 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.
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