A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

What it means

However large the undertaking, it is entered by one ordinary action. Used to make a daunting project approachable by shrinking the question from “how do I finish this” to “what do I do first”.

Where it comes from

Chinese rather than English: it renders a line from the Tao Te Ching, traditionally attributed to Laozi. The Chinese measure is the li, so “thousand miles” is itself a translator’s convention, and some readings render the opening closer to “begins beneath one’s feet”.

Example sentences

• “Write the first paragraph today; a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
• “They started with one shop. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
• “The line is from the Tao Te Ching, not from English proverb tradition.”

When it fits — and when it does not

Common in English and entirely idiomatic, but it is a borrowed saying — worth knowing if you ever attribute it. Usually quoted with “single step”, occasionally “first step”.

Similar phrases

• Well begun is half done.
• Little strokes fell great oaks.