a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: 4.04 in modern English
76
Scrabble Score
45
Letters
9
Syllables
20
Unique Chars
Meaning
proverb
Even the longest and most difficult ventures have a starting point.
Example Sentences
- "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."
- "“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."
- "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.""
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.
Inflected Forms
a journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step (alternative)
a thousand-mile journey begins with the first step (alternative)
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