lao tzu quotes journey of a thousand miles

A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step

Meaning of “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”.

This Chinese proverb means that a person must begin his or her journey to reach their goal or destination. It is a motivational proverb that expresses deep insight about determination and avoiding procrastination. It means a first step needs if we intend to finish a task or a thought on time . In other words, this expression tells that the great things commence with simple beginnings.

This proverb also stretches across two paradoxical phrases , ‘thousand miles’ and ‘single step’ while the emphasis is on a ‘single step.’ If an initiative is taken, the rest of the venture falls into place, and the mission starts. It also means that a voyage marked as a milestone starts with a single step. This proverb applies to a wide range of different circumstances where action needs to be taken for the completion of a task. Hence, in this saying ‘journey’ means a task/action and that it does not stay limited to traveling only. However, a step is an initiative or a starting point. A ‘thousand miles’ shows the longevity of a journey, while a ‘single step’ is an initial move. In other words, no matter how ambiguous the task is, how long the journey is or laborious the work is, a movement is always required to begin it.

Origin of “A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step”

“A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step” is a saying by an ancient Chinese philosopher. The original text is “A journey of a thousand li starts beneath one’s feet.”  Here li means distance. This quote was first used in Chinese classic text; Tao Te Ching attributed to Lao Tzu, a renowned Chinese philosopher. It was probably written between the 4 th or 6 th century.

Tzu’s powerful words have always been shadowed by renowned people. American President, John F Kennedy reintroduced this quote “A Journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” in 1963 about the first nuclear test ban agreement.

Examples in Literature

The journey of a thousand miles… by Ronnie James Corbin

“I’m pretty drunk right now , But my thoughts are clear enough to say, I believe in you. I believe in your dreams . I believe you can overcome your flaws. I believe you could write the masterpiece of our generation. You could cure cancer, bring world peace, and feed the hungry. You can show love. You can breathe your positive presence into the air. I want you to go forth and shine like the beautiful star that you are. Together we can demolish our egos. Start on the path to purity. They say the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step, So hold my hand, and follow me, As I take mine.”

Ronnie James Corbin is an Ohio-based American poet wrote this poem for his sweetheart requesting her to join the poet to defeat every other thing, including cancer. The use of the first person and the second person to counter it balances the poem. The poem is a marriage proposal after the presentation of both figures. It gets clear in the third last line where the long journey is a long life, while the next line shows the invitation as “hold my hand”.

There Is No Easy Way (But There Is a Way) by Willie Nelson

Now that we’re back together the battle is half won We’ll try to save a part of yesterday I know it won’t be easy but at least we have begun There is no easy way but there is a way We both could use some understanding trust would help And the journey of a thousand miles begins with just one step And is love not worth the price we’ll have to pay There is no easy way but there is a way We both could use some understanding trust would help And the journey of a thousand miles begins with just one step And is love not worth the price we’ll have to pay There is no easy way but there is a way

Willie Nelson, a songwriter and poet, wrote this song to convey his colleague and beloved that they could start the relationship again as there is always a way even if nothing is easy. For this purpose, he has used this proverb as a repetition as well as a refrain in the last two lines of both stanzas .

Journey of a Thousand Miles My Story By Lang Lang and David Ritz

This is an autobiography of a Chinese pianist Lang Lang. He co-wrote the book with David Ritz to underline his hard struggle when moving from a western Chinese city to Beijing. It is not just the story of a pianist prodigy, but a family saga. The writer includes his whole family, who supported Lang Lang until his stardom. His father’s tireless struggle to make his song a star goes a long way. Therefore, the title of the biography shows the courage and sacrifice that a father has demonstrated to make his son a star.

Examples in Sentences as Literary Devices

Example #1: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step and is finally covered after a time.” Here the proverb shows the journey that is covered only when a step is taken.

Example #2: “ He is an epitome of a journey of a thousand miles beings with a single step as he always takes a small step to do everything and completes it on time.” Here the proverb has been used as a metaphor as it shows the person as the model.

Example #3: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step is like a task that has many parts, and if a small part is done, it means the big task will be done too.” The proverb has been used as a simile as the use of “like” shows.

Example #4: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step forward or ends with a single step back.” This proverb also shows the use of a paradox a journey is of thousand miles, but it starts with a single step.

Example #5: “ A journey as long as a thousand mile begins with a single step” shows its use as a simile as it compares the longevity of a journey with a thousand miles. However, the proverb has been twisted a bit with the words “as long as”.

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The meaning and origin of the expression: A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

What's the meaning of the phrase 'a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step'.

The proverb 'a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step' puts forward the notion that, however difficult a task is, you can only complete it if you first start it.

What's the origin of the phrase 'A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step'?

'A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step' is different in that it actually was coined in China. Any saying that is associated with ancient China is generally labelled as being the work of Confucius. This one isn't.

Westerners like myself, who don't speak Chinese and have no real knowledge or understanding of Chinese history and culture, need to tread carefully when making pronouncements about who did what in China over two thousand years ago. What is generally accepted by scholars with a better grasp of Chinese and China is this...

The proverb 'A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step' is first found in the Tao Te Ching , which is a classical Chinese Taoist text usually credited to Laozi (a.k.a. Lao Tzu), and probably written between the 4th and 6th century BC. The original text is:

"A journey of a thousand li [a Chinese mile] starts beneath one's feet"

The Tao Te Ching, is not a neatly bound and dated book with a definitive ISBN number that you might buy on Amazon. There are numerous fragmentary copies differing in content, language and authorship and dating over several centuries. The authorship is uncertain and disputed and some scholars dispute even the existence of Lao Tzu, claiming him to be mythical sage rather than a real living person.

We might usefully consider the Tao Te Ching as having a similar standing in Chinese culture as Aesop's Fables has in the West. It is now widely believed that Aesop's Fables weren't written by one author and, even if they were, it wasn't Aesop who may well not have existed in the flesh.

The 'self-help' nature of the phrase has led to some parody, including this from the Anglo/Australian writer Kathy Lette:

A journey of self-discovery starts with a single step… But so does falling down a flight of stairs.

See also: the List of Proverbs .

By Gary Martin

Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

Lao Tzu: 'Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.'

Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.

In our fast-paced world, it's easy to become overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the tasks ahead of us. However, the profound words of Lao Tzu remind us of the importance of taking prompt action and seizing opportunities while they are still within our reach. "Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step." This simple yet poignant quote encapsulates the essence of perseverance, strategy, and the power of starting small.At its core, this quote encourages us to tackle challenging tasks early on, rather than postponing them until they become insurmountable. It teaches us the wisdom of breaking down overwhelming objectives into smaller, manageable steps. By addressing difficulties while they are still relatively easy, we not only increase our chances of success but also develop a sense of confidence and self-belief.The significance of Lao Tzu's words extends beyond the realm of productivity and goal attainment; it holds a deeper philosophical truth. Taking into consideration an unexpected concept, let's explore the idea of Taoism here. Taoism is a philosophy that emphasizes the importance of living in harmony with the Tao, an entity that cannot be comprehended or expressed in words. In the context of Lao Tzu's quote, we can interpret the "difficult things" as obstacles and challenges in life, while the "great things" represent our ultimate purpose or destiny.While it may seem paradoxical, Taoism teaches that true greatness lies in embracing simplicity and humility. By undertaking difficult tasks while they are still easy, we align ourselves with the Tao's principles, gracefully navigating life's ups and downs. We learn to appreciate the value of small actions, recognizing that they lay the foundation for extraordinary achievements.In contrast to the common belief that greatness is achieved by grand gestures or instant success, Lao Tzu invites us to consider a different perspective. By emphasizing the importance of starting small and taking that single step, he reminds us that even the most significant journeys are a compilation of individual moments of courage and perseverance.When we dive deeper into the philosophy behind this quote, we realize that it encourages a shift in mindset. Instead of fixating on the overwhelming task at hand, we learn to focus on each present moment. By breaking down a journey of a thousand miles into that single step, we gain a new sense of appreciation for the process itself. We are reminded that each step has value – it is not simply a means to an end but a testament to our growth, resilience, and determination.In a culture that often glorifies overnight success and instant gratification, Lao Tzu's words offer solace and guidance. They remind us that the path to greatness is not linear or straightforward but rather a series of small steps, each contributing to the whole. By embracing this philosophy and adopting a mindset rooted in mindfulness and patience, we can navigate the challenges of life with grace and resilience.Ultimately, Lao Tzu's quote serves as a reminder of the importance of starting, even when the magnitude of the task ahead seems overwhelming. It urges us to embrace the simplicity and power of small actions, recognizing that they lay the groundwork for greatness. So, let us heed these words and embark on our own journeys, one step at a time, knowing that with each step, we are inching closer to our aspirations and becoming the best versions of ourselves.

Lao Tzu: 'Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.'

Lao tzu: 'kindness in words creates confidence. kindness in thinking creates profoundness. kindness in giving creates love.'.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. – Lao Tzu

When you succeed, people will probably see your success, but it is only you who knows all that it took to make you reach the point where you are today!

People usually talk about successful people too often, but they tend to forget to mention all the effort that it took to help you reach up to the position where you have been standing today.

Remember that the journey of a thousand miles does not happen in just a day; it takes miles to make that happen. You do not turn out to be successful overnight. It will take months and years to reach up to the position where you have been craving all this while.

Know that the path to success isn’t smooth, but if you have patience and an intention, you are sure to make up to it.

It takes one step to begin that journey, and that is the toughest segment of all. An initiative is the most integral part of gaining success.

Everyone can dream big, but it takes a lot of courage and focus to step down from the bed and think of walking ahead.

It is quite obvious that you will have to dedicate a lot of time in order to complete the journey, but if your intention is true, you will make it happen, be it sooner or later.

The path to success might be too long, but when you are motivated, you are sure to turn it according to you. All you need is to keep your peace of mind and keep on working hard.

At times, things might not go smooth, or turn against you, but that’s when you should keep calm and remind yourself of all the positive things that had occurred to you all through the journey.

Taking a step is a big deal, and that’s where most of the applicants tend to fail. Yes, you might have to take a risk, but that’s how the game works! You dream big, you risk it bigger, and it turns out to be even bigger.

Hence, if you want things to happen bigger, you might require to take a bigger bait, and only when you do it, you shall expect to get a bigger return.

Reaching up to that peak of success is a long journey , but when you take that small step, you gear yourself up for that bigger journey.

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a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

• 1.1 Alternative forms
• 1.2 Etymology
• 1.3 Pronunciation
• 1.4.1 Synonyms
• 1.4.2 Translations

English [ edit ]

Alternative forms [ edit ].

• a journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step
• a thousand-mile journey begins with the first step

Etymology [ edit ]

Calque of Chinese 千里之行，始於足下 ( qiānlǐ zhī xíng, shǐyú zú xià ), quoted by the Chinese philosopher Laozi in the Tao Te Ching . This quote is sometimes erroneously attributed to Laozi's contemporary , Confucius , who is the founder of Confucianism , or to the Japanese.

Pronunciation [ edit ]

Proverb [ edit ].

• 2020 , Malcolm Turnbull , The Reluctant Republic , Hardie Grant Publishing, →ISBN : It has often been said that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step . We have made many steps in our journey towards the republic, and perhaps are closer to our destination than we imagine.
• 1989 , Stephen Covey , The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People , Free Press, →ISBN : “ A thousand-mile journey begins with the first step ” and can only be taken one step at a time. If you don't let a teacher know at what level you are—by asking a question, or revealing your ignorance—you will not learn or grow.
• 1981 , Robert Leland Youngs, Forest products research needs and prospects (thinking globally, acting locally) , Forest Products Laboratory, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture: The problems are great--but this means that the opportunities are also great. In this situation it is well to remember the ancient wise words of Lao Tzu " A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step ."

Synonyms [ edit ]

• take care of the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves
• many a mickle makes a muckle
• every little helps
• little and often fills the purse

Translations [ edit ]

• English terms calqued from Chinese
• English terms derived from Chinese
• English terms with audio links
• English lemmas
• English proverbs
• English multiword terms
• English terms with quotations
• Arabic terms with non-redundant manual transliterations
• Cantonese terms with redundant transliterations
• Mandarin terms with non-redundant manual transliterations
• Hebrew terms with redundant script codes
• Hindi terms with redundant script codes
• Serbo-Croatian terms with redundant script codes

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Lao Tzu – The Journey Of A Thousand Miles

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” This famous quote, attributed to the ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu , has long been a source of motivation and inspiration for people embarking on new endeavors. 

Whether it’s starting a new job, launching a business, or pursuing a personal goal, the quote reminds us that no journey is too long or too difficult when we break it down into small, manageable steps. It’s a powerful reminder that even the most daunting of tasks can be accomplished when we take that first step and begin our journey.

We will take a closer look at the meaning and significance of this quote, and explore how it can be applied to our daily lives. We will analyze the quote in-depth and offer personal anecdotes and examples to illustrate its relevance in the real world.

The meaning of the quote “The Journey Of A Thousand Miles”

The quote “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step” is a simple yet powerful statement. It reminds us that even the longest and most challenging journeys start with a single step. It encourages us to take that first step, to start the journey, no matter how daunting the task may seem.

The quote is also a reminder that even small steps are progressing. Every step we take brings us closer to our destination and every step is a victory in itself. It’s easy to become overwhelmed by the enormity of a goal, but by focusing on taking one step at a time, we can break the task down into manageable chunks and make steady progress.

The quote implies that the journey is important, not the destination. The journey itself is a learning experience, a process of growth and development, and the destination is only the final outcome. By enjoying the journey and learning from it, we can achieve a deeper sense of satisfaction and fulfillment.

Additionally, the quote can be interpreted as an encouragement for self-reliance, as it implies that the individual has the power and capability to take the first step and start the journey by themselves.

The relevance of this quote in real-life

To illustrate the relevance of this quote in real-life, you can use personal anecdotes or examples. For instance, you could mention how you started a new business and how you took the first step and kept moving forward, one step at a time.

Or you could share the story of a friend who decided to run a marathon, and how he broke it down into small, manageable training sessions, to reach his goal .

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step” is a quote that reminds us of the importance of taking action, breaking down goals into manageable steps, and enjoying the journey. It’s a powerful reminder that we all have the capability to take that first step and that every step we take is progress.

We have explored the quote “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step,” attributed to Lao Tzu , and discussed its meaning and significance. We have analyzed the quote in-depth and provided personal anecdotes and examples to illustrate its relevance in the real world.

As we’ve seen, the quote serves as a powerful reminder that no journey is too long or too difficult when we break it down into small, manageable steps. It encourages us to take that first step, to start the journey, no matter how daunting the task may seem. It’s a reminder that even small steps progress, and that the journey is just as important as the destination.

We hope this post has been informative and inspiring, and that you will take the message of this quote to heart. We encourage you to share this post with your friends and family and leave a comment with your thoughts on the quote. Remember, the journey of a thousand miles starts with one step, and you are capable of taking it.

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Lao tzu quote – “the journey of a thousand miles…”.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.

Lao Tzu (570 – 490 B.C.E.)

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The Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins With One Step. – Lao Tzu

Table of Contents

Life is a difficult journey for most people. There are only a few fortunate people who are born with a lot of things already eased out for them while the rest of them have to work their way up. However, if we give life a good hard try to live it the way we want it to be, we surely can win it. As a matter of fact, most people fail at the beginning stage while most that go past that end up succeeding. For this reason, Lao Tzu said “The Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins With One Step”.

Who was Lao Tzu?

Lao Tzu commonly known as Laozi was an ancient Chinese philosopher and writer. He founded philosophical Taoism. He uniquely preached religion by integrating a deity in Taoism and various other Chinese religions. Lao Tzu has been a controversial figure as some associate him with the central figure in Chinese culture and the Tang dynasty. However, modern people with the surname of Li also claim that they belong to the lineage of Lao Tzu. 

Lao Tzu has worked actively in Chinese philosophy where his works were appreciated and criticized at the same time. He wrote several books during his lifetime which became a way forward for Chinese culture and some religions as well. Lao Tzu’s approach to life was always a progressive one which is why this quote is also associated with him. 

Origin of this Quote

The quote originated from Chinese culture. This quote by Lao Tzu has been taken from his book Tao Te Ching where this quote was written in Chapter 64. This book is a Chinese classic text which was written in 400 BC by Lao Tzu. The text in this book provides various focal points on the concepts of Chinese philosophy and religion. It also takes into account legalism and Confucianism. In modern Chinese culture, this book is considered highly significant and many monks still use it for preaching purposes. According to experts, this book is also one of the most translated texts in world literature. Therefore, the quote “The Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins With One Step” is also quite important. 

Meaning of this Quote

There are several themes identified in this quote as discussed below. 

The Beginning is the Most Important

Most people in the world are doing a job for others rather than owning their own business. The reason? The majority are scared to begin their own business while there are only a handful of people who take the risk of starting a new venture. Most people would say that they want financial freedom just like a businessman but would not be willing to begin their effort in this journey. All of this indicates one thing: that the beginning is the most important factor. 

As the quote suggests, the single step towards your goal is the first step to accomplishment as well. Consider two situations. If you begin your journey to being a businessman, you may or may not be able to accomplish your goal. However, if you don’t even begin this journey, you will definitely never be able to reach your ultimate goal. See the difference? In the first case, there are few chances while in the second case, there is no chance of achieving your goal. 

There is another quote that goes like “You never know if you never try”. Take the case of people who have a crush on others but don’t take the first step to express their love. As a result, many people “lose someone that they never had” in the first place. When you don’t have anything to lose in the first place, why hesitate to take the first step. In the worst-case scenario, the other person will reject you and you will be back to the point where you actually were. In the best case, you win. 

The lesson? You don’t lose anything by taking the first step but surely do lose everything by not taking one.  By the time Lao Tzu wrote this quote, he was suggesting his followers to not stop rather they should begin doing what they restrict themselves from.

Don’t Give Up

Another important theme discussed in this quote is consistency and failure. The quote says “a thousand miles” which indicates a long journey. Even after taking the first step, people need to be careful of the fact that they shouldn’t go down this first step at any point. They need to realize that every further step is actually another new step to the journey of a thousand miles. To get something the way you want, you need to work for it accordingly. 

Taking the same example of entrepreneurs as mentioned above, a person who starts his business does not only take the courage for the first step but also takes the courage for accepting many failures before achieving success. People who leave midway usually give up easily. From this quote, the themes of consistency, adherence to hard work, and getting back up after failure are explained. 

Therefore, next time you feel like giving up, always know that if you reached success someday, this failure wouldn’t be much felt. However, if you give up now, failure will always be there. Read on to the stories of many people such as Mother Teresa who struggled throughout their lives on many occasions. However, eventually, they did overcome the major problems and became successful. The sole reason behind this was their consistent effort and commitment to never give up.  

Don’t Carry Regrets 

The one-step you fear taking isn’t going to cost you a lot but if you don’t take it timely, it will surely be a burden on your head for a really long time. Many people, when they reach their old age, have regrets about not doing certain things that they could have easily done. Some failed at courage, while others just didn’t think it enough, and so on. There can be many reasons to not begin that one step but the regret of not taking it surely overpowers everything else. 

For this reason, this quote becomes quite useful in explaining that the journey may be long but if you never experience it, you might end up with regret rather than gratitude. Therefore, be wild in life! Take some risks wildly. Even if you fail, you will learn and life will move on. At least, you won’t be having any kind of regrets. 

The Smallest Things Matter

One of the indirect meanings derived from this quote is that small things matter a lot. Many people don’t believe in this as much but in reality, it is always the small things that lead to bigger differences. Take the story of Oliver Wright and his brother, the pioneers of modern-day aviation. The two just had the smallest idea of flying in the air. Today, the world is a “thousand miles’ ‘ ahead of their small step but what actually led to modern-day aviation was the first step toward aerial flight by Oliver Wright and Wilbur Wright. 

Similarly, communication today has gotten so much better in numerous ways. We have internet, social connections, and various forms of connectivity options including video calls. However, coming to this point wasn’t an easy job. It all started in the small lab of Graham Bell, the founder of telephonic services. Despite hundreds of failures, he kept trying until one day, he succeeded. Today, the world remembers him as the father of the telephone. 

There are many other examples such as Steve Jobs who started the concept of the iPhone in his garage and Mark Zuckerberg who started Facebook as a simple college project. All these examples prove the point that we often think that little things do not carry as much effort. However, they are usually the most important points for long-term success. 

The quote by Lao Tzu has several meanings and interpretations which have been explained above. In a nutshell, one needs to evaluate that the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step, which means that every big thing requires the right beginning, a small step, consistency, and focus otherwise the person is going to carry regrets for the rest of his life. You can also read other Chinese Proverbs to learn more about the approach of Chinese philosophers toward life. 

• Lao Tzu quote on beginning
• Lao Tzu quote on life
• the origin of this quote
• who was Lao Tzu
• who was Laozi

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Quote of the month: “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step”

Text and photo: Stefan Nilsson

The Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu said; “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step” . He wasn’t wrong, because you won’t get anywhere unless you start the journey.

One can journey alone or with others. When it comes to journeys of any kind, we keep following the wise words of our main man The Buddha: “Travel only with thy equals or thy betters; if there are none, travel alone”. Don’t waste a good journey on less than stellar travel companions.

New year resolutions are, by and large, rubbish. People make promises to themselves that they can’t keep. They have a go for a few days, a week or perhaps even a month. But at some point, most give up. These resolutions are a waste of effort. Therefore, embarking on an important journey should not be done as part of a new year resolution. Journeys are real and involve movement between a starting point and a goal, which could be distant or near.

Ditch the new year resolution and plan for a real journey instead. Remember that a plan which is not implemented is as much of a waste as an average new year resolution. Don’t wait for things to happen. You have to take the initiative and start. By definition, the first step precedes all the other steps on the journey. Thus, don’t make promises around a first step, start walking instead of talking.

You may be running fast, but making haste is useless unless you are going in the right direction. As my wife often says to me: Walking slowly is OK, as long as you keep going. Pace yourself to not burn out. It doesn’t matter if you move slowly as long as you don’t stop, you don’t give up.

Remember that you have a backbone (most of us do, although some people behave as if they are missing this vital piece of the human body). Stand up straight even when Ill winds are blowing. You will face headwinds and obstacles but you must push on. Don’t lose sight of the finishing line. Staying focused on the goal will help you stay the course and not get sidetracked by the odd battle and other challenges along the way.

Enjoy the journey. It’s not the length of the journey, it’s the quality of the steps.

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