a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step en · X
Pronunciation
- (US) audio
Etymology
Calque from 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, or to the Japanese.
Meanings
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Even the longest and most difficult ventures have a starting point.
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."
1981, Robert Leland Youngs, Forest products research needs and prospects (thinking globally, acting locally), Forest Products Laboratory, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture“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.
1989, Stephen Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Free Press, →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.
2020, Malcolm Turnbull, The Reluctant Republic, Hardie Grant Publishing, →ISBN:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| a thousand-mile journey begins with the first step | alternative | lexicographic | |
| a journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step | alternative | lexicographic |
Synonyms
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 (35)
vi hành trình ngàn dặm bắt đầu từ một bước đi (a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step) · sh daleko putovanje počinje prvim korakom (a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step) · fr un voyage de mille lieues commence toujours par un premier pas (a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step) · hi हजार कोसों का सफर भी एक पैर उठाने से ही शुरू होता है (a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step) · hu az ezer mérföldes utazás is egyetlen lépéssel kezdődik (a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step) · ko 천 리 길도 한 걸음부터 (a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step) · el ένα ταξίδι χιλίων μιλίων ξεκινά με ένα μόνο βήμα (a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step) · sh далеко путованје починје првим кораком (a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step) · yue 千里之行，始於足下 (a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step) · pt uma viagem de mil milhas começa com um único passo (a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step) · ro o călătorie de o mie de mile începe cu un singur pas (a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step) · sl potovanje daleč se začne s prvim korakom (a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step) · nl een reis van duizend mijlen begint met een enkele stap (a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step) · tr binlerce kilometrelik yolculuk bile tek bir adımla başlar (a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step) · pl podróż tysiąca mil zaczyna się od jednego kroku (a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step) · uk шлях у ти́сячу миль почина́ється з одного́ кро́ку (a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step) · it un viaggio di mille miglia comincia con il primo passo (a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step) · lt tūkstančio mylių kelionė prasideda žengus vieną žingsnį (a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step) · fi pisinkin matka alkaa yhdellä askeleella (a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step) · th หนทางไกลนับพันลี้เริ่มต้นจากก้าวแรก (a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step) · de eine Reise von tausend Meilen beginnt mit dem ersten Schritt (a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step) · es un viaje de mil millas comienza con un solo paso (a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step) · no en vandring på tusen mil starter med ett enkelt skritt (a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step) · tl ang mahabang paglalakbay ay nagsimula sa isang hakbang (a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step) · sw aambuaye nyayo safari ameianza (a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step) · ms ada padi semua kerja jadi, ada beras semua kerja deras (a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step) · ru путь в ты́сячу вёрст начина́ется с пе́рвого ша́га (a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step) · cmn 千里之行，始於足下 (a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step) · he גם מסע של אלף מייל מתחיל בצעד אחד קטן (a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step) · cs cesta dlouhá tisíc mil začíná jedním krokem (a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step) · eo milmejla vojaĝo komenciĝas per unu paŝo (a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step) · ko 천리지행 시어족하 (a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step) · ar رِحْلَةُ اَلْأَلْفِ مِيلِ تَبْدَأُ بِخَطْوَةِ وَاحِدَةِ (a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step) · ja 千里の道も一歩から (a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step) · et tuhande miiline rännak algab esimesest sammust (a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step)