Home button

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

Facebook

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

'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 .

Gary Martin - the author of the phrases.org.uk website.

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.

Gary Martin, author of the www.phrases.org.uk website.

Wisdom Trove

Even the longest journey starts with a single step (quotes)

The longest journey starts with a single step.

  • Every journey begins with a single step. Maya Angelou
  • The longest journey begins with a single step. Patanjali
  • The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. Laozi
  • The greatest journeys all start with a single step. Bear Grylls
  • Every step begins a journey, and this one is for us. Erin Hunter
  • Every Journey, no matter how far, starts with one step. Eric Walters
  • Every adventure requires a first step. Trite but true, even here. American McGee
  • Your journey begins with a choice to get up, step out, and live fully. Oprah Winfrey
  • What people forget is a journey to nowhere starts with a single step, too. Chuck Palahniuk
  • The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Watch your step. Thomas S. Monson
  • The journey starts with a single step—not with thinking about taking a step. Jeff Olson
  • Hope puts up with modest gains, realizing that the longest journey starts with one step. James Keller
  • How to begin the journey? You need only to take the first step. When? There is always now. George Leonard
  • According to the ancient Chinese proverb, A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step. John F. Kennedy
  • A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step and if that step is the right step, it becomes the last step. Laozi
  • Your outer journey may contain a million steps; your inner journey only has one: the step you are taking right now. Eckhart Tolle
  • The journey of a thousand leagues begins with a single step. So we must never neglect any work of peace within our reach, however small. Adlai E. Stevenson
  • To take a journey of a thousand miles, you have to begin with the first step from the place where you stand; the romantic description of the journey and the things the body sees on the way and the description of the scenery are of no use unless you lift your foot and take the first step. Vimala Thakar
  • Here is an old Oriental proverb: A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. It is difficult to anticipate just how a situation will develop in every detail until you take a step forward and try out your present equipment. Then, if weaknesses appear, you will have clues as to how to strengthen your resources. No scheme or plan is perfect. Perfection is a process, not an end. Napoleon Hill

The first step is the hardest

  • The first step is the hardest. Marie Anne de Vichy-Chamrond
  • On this path, it is only the first step that counts. John Vianney
  • The first step of a journey is always the longest. Richard Paul Evans
  • And like my dad always said, the first step is always the hardest. Sarah Dessen
  • The first step is the hardest. Marie Anne de Vichy-Chamrond, marquise du Deffand
  • The hardest step for a runner to take is the first one out the door. Ron Clarke
  • The first step is the hardest – making a commitment to yourself, for yourself. Mary Kay Ash
  • You have traveled far, but the hardest part of a journey is always the next step. Jackie Morris
  • The most difficult part of any endeavour is taking the first step, making the first decision. Robyn Davidson
  • The hardest part is starting. Once you get that out of the way, you’ll find the rest of the journey much easier. Simon Sinek
  • I think this is the start of something really big. Sometimes that first step is the hardest one, and we’ve just taken it. Steve Jobs
  • First steps are always the hardest but until they are taken the notion of progress remains only a notion and not an achievement. Aberjhani
  • You must take the first step. The first steps will take some effort, maybe pain. But after that, everything that has to be done is real-life movement. Ben Stein
  • Sometimes the first step is the hardest: coming up with an idea. Coming up with an idea should be like sitting on a pin-it should make you jump up and do something. Kemmons Wilson
  • That step, the heroic first step of the journey, is out of, or over the edge of, your boundaries, and it often must be taken before you know that you will. Joseph Campbell
  • Fret not where the road will take you. Instead concentrate on the first step. That’s the hardest part and that’s what you are responsible for. Once you take that step let everything do what it naturally does and the rest will follow. Do not go with the flow. Be the flow. Elif Safak
  • It is always the first and last steps that are the hardest to take. We walk away and try not to turn back, or we stand just outside the gates, terrified to find what’s waiting for us now that we’ve returned. In between, we stumble blindly from one place and life to the next. We try to do the best we can. There are moments like this, however, when we are neither coming nor going, and all we have to do is sit and look back on the life we have made. Dinaw Mengestu
  • To change the world It starts with one step However small First step is hardest of all. Dave Matthews

The first step is the most important

  • The first step is the most important. It is the most crucial and the most effective as it will initiate the direction you have chosen. Steve Backley
  • The most important step of all is the first step. Start something. Blake Mycoskie
  • The ending is the beginning, and the beginning is the first step, and the first step is the only step. Jiddu Krishnamurti
  • The act of taking the first step is what separates the winners from the losers. Brian Tracy
  • In a single step the whole journey is contained. Rajneesh

The first step is the longest

  • The longest journey begins with a single step, not with the turn of an ignition key. That’s the best thing about walking, the journey itself. It doesn’t much matter whether you get where you’re going or not. You’ll get there anyway. Every good hike brings you eventually back home. Right where you started. Edward Abbey

Take the first step in faith with a sense of hope and belief

  • For everyone, well-being is a journey. The secret is committing to that journey and taking those first steps with hope and belief in yourself. Deepak Chopra
  • Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase. Martin Luther King, Jr.
  • You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step. Martin Luther King, Jr.
  • I’ve discovered that if I don’t take the first step, God generally won’t reveal the next step. Mark Batterson

Once the first step is taken, keep taking steps

  • A journey of a thousand miles continues with the second step. Larry Wall
  • When you arrive where you thought you wanted to be, you’ll just begin a new journey so enjoy each step along the way. Wayne Dyer
  • With the first step, the number of shapes the walk might take is infinite, but then the walk begins to define itself as it goes along, though freedom remains total with each step: any tempting side road can be turned into an impulse, or any wild patch of woods can be explored. The pattern of the walk is to come true, is to be recognized, discovered. R. Ammons
  • My journey has been a very slow build-up. Each year has been a step upward. I’ve never actually gone backward. Vijay Singh
  • For every two steps forward, there is one step back. Don’t let that discourage you, because you can play a big part in ensuring that measurable change takes place in the coming decade. Jack Norris
  • We will never make a journey of a thousand miles by fretting about how long it will take or how hard it will be. We make the journey by taking each day step by step and then repeating it again and again until we reach our destination. Joseph B. Wirthlin
  • I have come to understand that that is what life is all about-a journey and the courage and energy always to take the next step and the next without judgement about what was right and what was wrong. Mary Balogh

Every step is a first step

  • Every step is a first step if it’s a step in the right direction. Terry Pratchett

The journey must be taken one step at a time

  • Peace is a journey of a thousand miles and it must be taken one step at a time. Lyndon B. Johnson
  • No matter how long your journey appears to be, there is never more than this: one step, one breath, one moment… Now. Eckhart Tolle
  • Allow yourself to experience fully every step of the journey, both the joy and the pain. You’re alive. Greet the moment at hand with a grateful heart. Eleanor Brown
  • Process transforms any journey into a series of small steps, taken one by one, to reach any goal. Process transcends time, teaches patience, rests on a solid foundation of careful preparation, and embodies trust in our unfolding potential. Dan Millman

Savour each step

  • Life is not a race, but a journey to be savoured each step of the way. Brian Dyson
  • The only thing that is ultimately real about your journey is the step that you are taking at this moment. That’s all there ever is. Eckhart Tolle
  • Were all on a golden journey-every one of us. A journey inspired by golden dreams, and at the end awaits a golden crown of righteousness….please remember that every step is to be cherished. Every single one. Chris Heimerdinger

Find the journey’s end in every step

  • To finish the moment, to find the journey’s end in every step of the road, to live the greatest number of good hours, is wisdom. Ralph Waldo Emerson

On a lighter note

  • The journey of a thousand miles begins with a cash advance. Alton Brown

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

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.

The quote by Lao Tzu, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step," encapsulates an essential and profound truth about life and achieving our goals. It emphasizes the significance of taking that initial step, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, as it is the catalyst that sets us on our path toward progress and transformation.At first glance, the meaning of this quote is straightforward. It suggests that any monumental endeavor, no matter how intimidating or daunting it may seem, must start with a single action. It reminds us that great achievements are not made overnight but rather through a series of consistent and deliberate actions taken over time. This quote serves as a reminder that every long and arduous journey is comprised of numerous small steps, each contributing to our overall progress.However, to truly delve into the depth of this quote, we can introduce an unexpected philosophical concept: the idea of the interconnectedness of all things. Building upon Lao Tzu's wisdom, we can explore the notion that our initial step not only sets us on our individual journey but also initiates a ripple effect, influencing the world around us.Imagine for a moment, the act of taking the first step is like dropping a pebble into a still pond. As the pebble breaks the surface of the water, it creates ripples that extend outward in ever-widening circles. Similarly, when we take that first step towards achieving our dreams, we create a ripple effect that can reach far beyond our immediate sphere of influence.For instance, consider the story of a young artist who decides to take that initial step and display their work publicly for the first time. Though they may feel small and insignificant in the grand scheme of the art world, their act of courage and vulnerability inspires someone who views their work. That person, in turn, becomes motivated to pursue their own creative endeavors, sparking a chain reaction of inspiration and creative expression.Moreover, the idea of interconnectedness can also be applied to personal growth and our impact on others. Volunteering our time or lending a helping hand to someone in need may seem like a small gesture, but its effects can be profound. By taking that single step, we not only make a positive difference in the lives of others but also cultivate a greater sense of compassion and empathy within ourselves.In essence, Lao Tzu's quote reminds us that no action is inconsequential. Every step we take holds the potential to create a ripple effect, both within ourselves and the world around us. It encourages us to be mindful of the choices we make and to recognize the power and significance of even the smallest actions.The concept of interconnectedness challenges us to acknowledge the immense influence our actions can have on the trajectory of our lives and the lives of those around us. It invites us to consider the profound interconnectedness that exists between individuals, communities, and the world as a whole.In conclusion, Lao Tzu's quote, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step," serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of initiating action and the power of individual choices. It reminds us that even the smallest step can start a journey of transformation and have a profound impact on our lives and the lives of others.By introducing the concept of interconnectedness, we are reminded of the ripple effect our actions can create. This philosophical idea adds a layer of depth and complexity to the quote, stimulating contemplation about the interconnected nature of our world and encouraging us to recognize the far-reaching consequences of our actions. So, let us remember to be mindful of the steps we take and the effects they may have - for the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step, and that step can change the world.

Lao Tzu: 'Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.'

Thomas jefferson: 'whenever you do a thing, act as if all the world were watching.'.

Jones Around The World

77 Beautiful Journey Quotes & Captions To Inspire An Inner Awakening

Searching for some words to accompany your own journey? I’ve compiled the best list out there of the most beautiful journey quotes to inspire and uplift you…

Maybe the most famous quote about journeys that millions across the globe know is from Lao Tzu.  The ancient Chinese philosopher once said, “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” And since then, adventurers, journeyers and wanderers have passed on their own journey inspiration. 

Whether your journey is a metaphorical or literal one, you will love my list of the best journey quotes that are guaranteed to lift you up and propel you forward. 

These are the 77 best journey quotes.

Beautiful Journey Quotes Instagram Captions

The Best Journey Quotes 

You may recognize a number of these quotes about journeys, as they come from the minds of some of the greatest individuals throughout history. These writers, leaders, musicians and adventurers understand the power of a life changing journey. 

1) “If you can’t fly, then run, if you can’t walk run, then walk, if you can’t walk, then crawl, but by all means keep moving.” – Martin Luther King Jr. 

2) “the road of life twists and turns and no two directions are ever the same. yet our lessons come from the journey, not the destination.” –  don williams, jr., 3) “the best part of life is to decide to make the journey through life like a best selling book. tell a fantastic story when you are ready to tell others how you did it. make sure life the best story ever written through a journey filled with overcoming obstacles, taking risks, and continuing to develop.” – catherine pulsifer, 4) “we are travelers on a cosmic journey, stardust, swirling and dancing in the eddies and whirlpools of infinity. life is eternal. we have stopped for a moment to encounter each other, to meet, to love, to share. this is a precious moment. it is a little parenthesis in eternity.” – paulo coelho.

Journey Quotes

5) “If ever there was a metaphor to illustrate the importance of the journey over the destination, it is life itself. For everyone who departs from birth is destined for death, so the journey IS life. Savor it!” – Michele Jennae

6) “life is a journey, and if you fall in love with the journey, you will be in love forever.” – peter hagerty, 7) “the secret of getting ahead is getting started. the secret of getting started is breaking your complex, overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one.” – mark twain, 8) “it is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” – ernest hemingway.

Quotes About Journeys

9) “To finish the moment, to find the journey’s end in every step of the road, to live the greatest number of good hours, is wisdom.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

10) “our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. but no matter, the road is life.”  ― jack kerouac, 11) “in order to complete our amazing life journey successfully, it is vital that we turn each and every dark tear into a pearl of wisdom, and find the blessing in every curse.” – anthon st. maarten, 12) “this thing we call life is not a destination with an end but a path down which we continue to journey as long as we can breath. life is to be lived not squandered or to give away waiting for the end to close upon us.” – byron pulsifer.

Best Journey Quotes

13) “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant.” – Robert Louis Stevenson

14) “life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “wow what a ride”” – hunter s. thompson, 15) “sooner or later we must realize there is no station, no one place to arrive at once and for all. the true joy of life is the trip.” — robert j. hastings.

Best Quotes About Journeys

Short Journey Quotes 

Quotes don’t have to be lengthy to capture the spirit of what they are trying to convey. These short journey quotes say so much with so little words. 

16) “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” – Lao Tzu

17) “learn to trust the journey, even when you do not understand it.” – lolly daskal, 18) “a journey is time suspended.” –  louis l’amour, 19) “take voyages. attempt them. there’s nothing else.” ― tennessee williams.

Short Journey Quotes

20) “I’m an idealist. I don’t know where I’m going, but I’m on my way.”  — Carl Sandburg

21) “stop worrying about the potholes in the road and celebrate the journey.” – fitzhugh mullan, 22) “life’s a journey, not a race.” – unknown, 23) “life is a journey. when we stop, things don’t go right.” – pope francis.

Short Quotes About Journeys

24) “It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters in the end.” ― Ursula K. Le Guin

25) “you must remain focused on your journey to greatness.” – les brown, 26) “i tramp a perpetual journey.” ― walt whitman, 27) “the real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” – marcel proust.

Funny Journey Quotes

28) “It’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” – Abraham Lincoln 

29) “life is about waking up. it is a journey of discovery and you’ve already bought the ticket and are sitting on the train.” – michael sheridan,, 30) “the only impossible journey is the one you never begin.” – tony robbins, 31) “without music, life is a journey through a desert.” – pat conroy.

Funny Quotes About Journeys

32) “What you learn in tough times can be used in many ways to bless your personal life journey.” – Scott Gordon

33) “accomplishments will prove to be a journey, not a destination.” – dwight d. eisenhower.

Celebrity Journey Quotes

Inspiring Journey Quotes  

Searching for the courage to take the first steps on your own journey? These inspiring journey quotes will light a fire under you, guaranteed to give you the courage you seek.

34) “I discovered that a fresh start is a process. A fresh start is a journey – a journey that requires a plan.” – Vivian Jokotade

35) “if you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten.” – unknown, 36) “you don’t have to understand my journey. you just need to respect it.” – izey victoria odiase, 37) “when setting out on a journey do not seek advice from someone who never left home.” – rumi, 38) “to get through the hardest journey we need take only one step at a time, but we must keep on stepping.” – chinese proverb, 39) “you have learned a lot, but there are still lots of learning for you as you journey through life. never stop learning.” – kate summers, 40) “when you’re on a journey and you come to a wall, always throw your pack over first, because then you will be sure to follow.” – yongey mingyur rinpoche, 41) “ big things have small beginnings.” – prometheus.

Inspiring Journey Quotes

42) “Life is a journey that have a lot different paths, but any path you choose use it as your destiny.” ― Ryan Leonard

43) “this is your journey, your body, your mind, and your spirit. dig deep, own it, and start doing things for you and by you.” – unknown author, 44) “as you journey down the path, don’t forget to be present moment-by-moment and absorb the beauty and richness of simply being alive.” – cary david richards, 45) “life is a journey of either fate or destiny. fate is the result of giving in to one’s wounds and heartaches. your destiny unfolds when you rise above the challenges of your life and use them as divine opportunities to move forward to unlock your higher potential.” – caroline myss.

Inspiring Quotes About Journeys

46) “Temporary setbacks create opportunities for fresh commitment and renewal. There are seasons of sunshine as well as rain.” – T. D. Jakes,

47) “i believe that life is a journey, often difficult and sometimes incredibly cruel, but we are well equipped for it if only we tap into our talents and gifts and allow them to blossom.” – les brown, 48) “to find your confidence, get out of your comfort zone, overcome your fears, and begin the journey to discover and accomplish what you want to do with your life.” – doretha dingler.

Inspirational Journey Quotes

Journey Instagram Quotes & Captions  

Need a fantastic quote about journeys to accompany your own inspiring Instagram upload? These Instagram journey captions and quotes say so much in just the right amount of characters. 

49) “Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter.” – Izaak Walton

50) “always say yes to new adventures.”, 51) “it is better to travel well than to arrive.” –  arthur c. custance, 52) “always take the scenic route.”.

Inspirational Quotes About Journeys

53) “Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.”

54) “don’t listen to what they say, go and see it for yourself.”, 55) “what’s on my bucket list everywhere.”, 56) “on a hard jungle journey, nothing is so important as having a team you can trust.” – tahir shah.

Romantic Journey Quotes

57) “Travel not to find yourself, but to remember where you have been all long.”

58) “don’t spend your money on things. spend it on experiences”, 59) “leap and the net will appear.” – zen proverb, 60) “all journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.” ― martin buber, 61) “life is journey, travel it well.” – unknown.

Journey Instagram Captions

Funny Journey Quotes 

These funny quotes about journeys are short, punchy and shine a humorous light on some of the many obstacles a journey may come up against. 

62) “Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.” – Confucius

63) “me: “i want to travel more”, the bank account: “”like, to the park”, 64) “i have panicked unnecessarily in all four corners of the globe.” – jon ronson, 65) “good things come to those, who book flights.”.

Journey Instagram Quotes

66) “A journey is like marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it.” –  John Steinbeck

67) “i crossed a time zone and i feel younger already. if i keep traveling west, i can become immortal” – jarod kintz, 68) “sometimes the road less traveled is less traveled for a reason.” – jerry seinfeld.

Quotes about Journeys For Instagram

Celebrity Journey Quotes 

Actors, entrepreneurs, musicians and more are the minds behind these poignant celebrity journey quotes that are sure to inspire and make you smile. 

69) “The key to realizing a dream is to focus not on success but significance, and then even the small steps and little victories along your path will take on greater meaning.” – Oprah Winfrey

70) “sometimes it’s the journey that teaches you a lot about your destination.” – drake, 71) “you can handle just about anything that comes at you out on the road with a believable grin, common sense and whiskey.”– bill murray, 72) “you can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward. so you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. you have to trust in something; your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. this approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.” – steve jobs.

Journey Quotes For Instagram

73) “The main thing that you have to remember on this journey is, just be Nice to everyone and always smile.” – Ed Sheeran

74) “you take people, you put them on a journey, you give them peril, you find out who they really are.” – joss whedon, 75) “if all difficulties were known at the outset of a long journey, most of us would never start out at all.” – dan rather, 76. “every day is a new journey for me, and i feel like, in my lifetime, i’ve been blessed to experience such a lot.” – bindi irwin, 77) “not everyone will understand your journey. that’s okay. you’re here to live your life, not to make everyone understand.” – banksy.

Famous Journey Quotes

Did I miss any great journey quotes?

Is there a journey quote I missed off my list that is one of your personal faves and that you want to share? Reach out to me with the quote, and I’ll see if I can add it to the my list of the best quotes about journeys!

Famous Quotes About Journeys

Looking for inspiration for your next travel journey?

The quotes that made my list could really sum up so many journeys travelers take every day across the world. I’m a travel blogger who has traveled across the globe, and as a result my site has a huge variety of inspiring travel content. Accommodation guides, music festival guides, itineraries, city guides and so much more await you. Get started with some of my most popular travel content. 

  • 37 California Music Festivals That’ll Keep You Dancing All Year Long
  • The ULTIMATE Bali Itinerary | How to Plan the Perfect Bali Vacation
  • 30 Music Festivals in Europe to Experience Before You Die
  • Thailand Itinerary 10 Days | How to Spend the Perfect 10 Days in Thailand
  • 16 Amazing Japan “Off the Beaten Path” Destinations & Hidden Gems
  • EDM FESTIVALS | The 20 Best Electronic Music Festivals in the USA
  • The Ultimate 2 Days in Barcelona Itinerary & Travel Guide
  • The Ultimate 2 Days in Kuala Lumpur Itinerary & Travel Guide
  • The Ultimate 4 Days in Paris Itinerary & Travel Guide
  • 51 Fun & Inspirational Sunset Quotes To Inspire Your Next Adventure

Beautiful Journey Quotes

What’s your favorite journey quote?

Share this list with your journey travel crew, leave a reply, leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Photography Gear

Work With Me

Privacy Policy

Destinations

Music Festivals

Travel Itineraries

Inspiration

Travel Gifts

Southeast Asia

' title=

Sassy Sister Stuff Website

Every Journey Begins with a Choice: 65 Great Quotes About New Beginnings

Every journey begins with a choice. It seems kind of simple, doesn’t it? But sometimes we need extra support with those choices because it’s not always quite as simple as one might think. I invite you to use these 65 great quotes about new beginnings to inspire you to move forward with confidence and joy.

We all face many new beginnings in life — expected or unexpected — and must make decisions about how to proceed on the next stage of our life journey. Every new journey begins with a choice — and you must make the best choice possible if you want to live your best life .

Sometimes you may face a new beginning that is scary, unwanted, or difficult — as in the case of divorce, death, employment, etc. Do the best you can — that’s all you can do sometimes. Consider your options and make a choice.

Sometimes you may be excited, nervous or a little of both about a new journey in life — as in the case of marriage, children, new home, etc. Again, make the best choice you can make with happiness and pride.

And sometimes you just need to make a choice about getting up in the morning and moving forward with your day. Life can be challenging sometimes for everyone. So I’ve included everyday is a new beginning quotes here, too — for your daily inspiration. Just get out of bed and put one foot in front of the other!

a happy young woman wearing a light teal shirt and hair scarf packs boxes and writes new beginning on the side because every journey begins with a choice and she has excitedly made a choice to move

Whatever new journey you face in life, be inspired by these awesome quotes about new beginnings that encourage and motivate you to remember every journey begins with a choice — you have choices about the paths you take and the way you handle every new journey.

Thank you for visiting. I hope you find these quotes inspirational! Please share them with friends and family who might need motivation and encouragement.

Special Note: In case you haven’t figured it out yet, this article is not about Pokémon:)

Related Article : Timeless Wisdom and Quotes for All Stages of Life

Every Journey Begins with a Choice

Whether it’s a big choice, or a little choice, or somewhere in between — make your choice and move forward. As Dory says in her adventures, “just keep swimming.”

“Each morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most.” | Buddha

“The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life; and the procedure, the process is its own reward.” | Amelia Earhart

“Understand that the right to choose your own path is a sacred privilege. Use it. Dwell in possibility.” | Oprah Winfrey

“I’ve come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that’s as unique as a fingerprint – and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service, working hard, and also allowing the energy of the universe to lead you.” | Oprah Winfrey

“Your life is a journey of learning to love yourself first and then extending that love to others in every encounter.” | Oprah Winfrey

“Nobody’s journey is seamless or smooth. We all stumble. We all have setbacks. It’s just life’s way of saying, ‘Time to change course.’” | Oprah Winfrey

“ Living your best life is your most important journey in life.” | Oprah Winfrey

a dark skinned pretty woman wearing a red dress holds a set of keys up to turn them into her landlord because every journey begins with a choice and she has chosen to move to a new home for a new beginning

Are You Choosing to Live Your Best Life?

These motivational quotes should provide lasting inspiration for you to find your courage and confidence to start anew — whether is be a new career, a new relationship, a new home — YOU CAN DO THIS!

“Your journey begins with a choice to get up, step out, and live fully.” | Oprah Winfrey

“At every fork in the road, you make a choice. And it is those decisions that shape our lives.” | Mike DeWine

“Every great story on the planet happened when someone decided not to give up, but kept going no matter what.” | Spryte Loriano

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” | Maria Robinson

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” | Harriet Tubman

“Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass. It’s about learning how to dance in the rain.” | Vivian Greene

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” | Mark Twain

“At any given moment you have the power to say: This is not how the story is going to end.” | Christine Mason Miller

“Celebrate endings — for they precede new beginnings.” | Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Related Article : Celebrate Life Every Day

“Every day begins with an act of courage and hope: Getting out of Bed.” | Mason Cooley

“Be willing to be a beginner every single morning.” | Meister Eckhart

“Divorce is the starting point of a brand new life. Don’t lose the chance to redesign it upon your dreams.” | Rossana Condoleo

“Just make a decision — any decision — and keep moving forward.” | Unknown

“Sometimes you just know it’s time to start something new. Trust the magic of new beginnings.” | Unknown

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” | Lao Tzu

“Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” | Martin Luther King, Jr

“The next chapter of your life is always more interesting than the last one.” | Michael Lipsey

“You can’t start the next chapter of your life if you keep rereading the last one.” | Michael McMillian

“You don’t have to have it all figured out. Just move forward.” | Unknown

lavender flowers sit on a brown table in a brown vase next to a gold frame with a sign that says the best time for new beginnings is now

Quotes About New Beginnings

I’m so excited to share these truly great words of wisdom in this collection of inspirational quotes about new beginnings. We’ve put together a collection of many talented leaders who speak great words about how every journey begins with a choice — even a choice to just to get out of bed in the morning.

“Nothing in the universe can stop you from letting go and starting over.” | Guy Finley

“It is never too late to be what you might have been.” | George Eliot

“The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide you’re not going to stay where you are.” | J.P. Morgan

“The beginning is the most important part of the work.” | Plato

“We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us. The old skin has to be shed before the new one can come.” | Joseph Campbell

“It’s a wise man who understands that every day is a new beginning, because boy, how many mistakes do you make in a day? I don’t know about you, but I make plenty. You can’t turn the clock back, so you have to look ahead.” | Mel Gibson

“Let go of the past, free yourself of disappointments, embrace a new perspective and grasp the possibilities of the future.” | Susan Ballinger

“Never allow waiting to become a habit. Live your dreams and take risks. Life is happening now.” | Paulo Coelho

“You can’t be that kid standing at the top of the water slide, overthinking it. You have to go down the chute.” | Tina Fey

“The visionary starts with a clean sheet of paper, and re-imagines the world.” | Malcolm Gladwell

an old fashioned photo of a dirt road and fields done in pale yellow and greens with one of many quotes about new beginnings for inspiration

“The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each new day to have a new and different sun…. Don’t settle down and sit in one place. Move around, be nomadic, make each day a new horizon.” | Jon Krakauer

“Each new day is a blank page in the diary of your life. The secret of success is in turning that diary into the best story you possible can.” | Douglas Pagels

“What you’re supposed to do when you don’t like a thing is change it. If you can’t change it, change the way you think about it. Don’t complain.” | Maya Angelou

“The start of something new brings the hope of something great.” | Unknown

“I am learning to love the sound of my feet walking away from things not meant for me.” | A.G.

Pin to Pinterest for Later

Every Journey Begins with a Choice (Such as Walking Away)

Ever y journey begins with a choice is a profound thought when you consider the many choices we make in a single day, week, month, year — and in our lifetimes.

“You can learn new things at any time in your life if you’re willing to be a beginner. If you actually learn to like being a beginner, the whole world opens up to you.” | Barbara Sher

“The life you have led doesn’t need to be the only life you have.” | Anna Quindlen

“Change can be scary, but you know what’s scarier? Allowing fear to stop you from growing, evolving, and progressing.” | Mandy Hale

“Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go. They merely determine where you start.” | Nido Qubein

“You are far more than your worst day, your worst experience, your worst season, dear one. You are more than the sorriest decision you ever made. You are more than the darkest sorrow you’ve endured. Your name is not Ruined. It is not Helpless. It is not Victim. It is not Irresponsible. History is replete with overcomers who stood up after impossible circumstances and walked in freedom. You are not an anemic victim destined to a life of regret. Not only are you capable, you have full permission to move forward in strength and health.” | Jen Hatmaker

“Never underestimate the power you have to take your life in a new direction.” | Germany Kent

12 yellow post it notes stuck to a cork board with goals written on each on each one for inspiration about making good choices for new beginnings

“Challenges are gifts that force us to search for a new center of gravity. Don’t fight them. Just find a new way to stand.” | Oprah Winfrey

“A new day: Be open enough to see opportunities. Be wise enough to be grateful. Be courageous enough to be happy.” | Steve Maraboli

“The big question is whether you are going to be able to say a hearty yes to your adventure.” | Joseph Campbell

“And now we welcome the new year, full of things that have never been” | Rainer Maria Rilke

“Every sunset is an opportunity to reset.” | Richie Norton

“The magic in new beginnings is truly the most powerful of them all.” | Josiyah Martin

“No one can ever take your memories from you – each day is a new beginning, make good memories every day.” | Catherine Pulsifer

 “Even the greatest was once a beginner. Don’t be afraid to take that first step.” | Muhammad Ali

“Every moment is a fresh beginning.” | T.S. Eliot

“There are two mistakes one can make along the road to truth… not going all the way, and not starting.” | Buddha

“I discovered that a fresh start is a process. A fresh start is a journey – a journey that requires a plan.” | Vivian Jokotade

“Some of us think holding on makes us strong, but sometimes it is letting go.” | Herman Hesse

“If all you can do is crawl, start crawling.” | Rumi

a happy young woman sits at her new at home computer desk and works on her new business on her computer because she has been inspired by quotes about new beginnings to start her own business

“The hardest part is starting. Once you get that out of the way, you’ll find the rest of the journey much easier.” |  Simon Sinek

“Don’t be afraid of new beginnings. Don’t shy away from new people, new energy, new surroundings. Embrace new chances at happiness.” | Unknown

“If you wish to be happy right from the beginning of your day, then it is about time to leave behind your past.” |  Lorin Hopper

“Getting over a painful experience is much like crossing monkey bars. You have to let go at some point in order to move forward.” | C. S. Lewis

Related Article : How to Leave the Past in the Past

“Keep on beginning and failing. Each time you fail, start all over again, and you will grow stronger until you have accomplished a purpose – not the one you began with perhaps, but one you’ll be glad to remember.” | Anne Sullivan

“Every accomplishment begins with the decision to try.” | James Allen

I hope you have found encouragement in these quotes about new beginnings. Don’t forget that it just takes the decision to START and you’ll be moving toward your hopes and dreams. Every journey begins with a choice — sometimes it’s as simple as starting!

If you enjoyed these quotes, you may want to check out other Sassy Sister Stuff pages of inspirational quotes about living life on your own terms and quotes about life and struggles .

Love to All! ~Susan

Quotes About New Beginnings : Please Share Your Thoughts in the Comments

If you found value in my words, please consider sharing it on your socials by clicking the buttons below. Thank you for your continued support! It means so much to me!

every journey starts with

Susan Ballinger is an award-winning educator, author, speaker, PTSD survivor, and advocate for ALL who has always been passionate about supporting and inspiring others in their personal growth. In her retirement years, she became the primary caregiver of her aging parents and developed an extensive knowledge-base about the elderly. You can learn more about Susan's professional work and compassionate nature by exploring her ABOUT page and connecting through her social media platforms.

Similar Posts

Making a Powerful Case for Positive Selfishness

Making a Powerful Case for Positive Selfishness

33 Heartwarming Generosity and Kindness Quotes to Inspire You

33 Heartwarming Generosity and Kindness Quotes to Inspire You

39 Amazing Maya Angelou Quotes to Inspire All Women

39 Amazing Maya Angelou Quotes to Inspire All Women

Self Care For Busy People: 8 Practical and Easy Tips

Self Care For Busy People: 8 Practical and Easy Tips

How to Survive Major Transitions in Life

How to Survive Major Transitions in Life

How to Live a Simple Life and Be Happy, Plus Quotes

How to Live a Simple Life and Be Happy, Plus Quotes

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Accessibility

Accessibility modes, online dictionary, readable experience, visually pleasing experience, easy orientation.

Sassy Sister Stuff Accessibility Statement

Accessibility Statement

  • www.sassysisterstuff.com
  • March 20, 2024

Compliance status

We firmly believe that the internet should be available and accessible to anyone, and are committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of circumstance and ability.

To fulfill this, we aim to adhere as strictly as possible to the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 (WCAG 2.1) at the AA level. These guidelines explain how to make web content accessible to people with a wide array of disabilities. Complying with those guidelines helps us ensure that the website is accessible to all people: blind people, people with motor impairments, visual impairment, cognitive disabilities, and more.

This website utilizes various technologies that are meant to make it as accessible as possible at all times. We utilize an accessibility interface that allows persons with specific disabilities to adjust the website’s UI (user interface) and design it to their personal needs.

Additionally, the website utilizes an AI-based application that runs in the background and optimizes its accessibility level constantly. This application remediates the website’s HTML, adapts Its functionality and behavior for screen-readers used by the blind users, and for keyboard functions used by individuals with motor impairments.

If you’ve found a malfunction or have ideas for improvement, we’ll be happy to hear from you. You can reach out to the website’s operators by using the following email [email protected] .

Screen-reader and keyboard navigation

Our website implements the ARIA attributes (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) technique, alongside various different behavioral changes, to ensure blind users visiting with screen-readers are able to read, comprehend, and enjoy the website’s functions. As soon as a user with a screen-reader enters your site, they immediately receive a prompt to enter the Screen-Reader Profile so they can browse and operate your site effectively. Here’s how our website covers some of the most important screen-reader requirements, alongside console screenshots of code examples:

Screen-reader optimization: we run a background process that learns the website’s components from top to bottom, to ensure ongoing compliance even when updating the website. In this process, we provide screen-readers with meaningful data using the ARIA set of attributes. For example, we provide accurate form labels; descriptions for actionable icons (social media icons, search icons, cart icons, etc.); validation guidance for form inputs; element roles such as buttons, menus, modal dialogues (popups), and others. Additionally, the background process scans all of the website’s images and provides an accurate and meaningful image-object-recognition-based description as an ALT (alternate text) tag for images that are not described. It will also extract texts that are embedded within the image, using an OCR (optical character recognition) technology. To turn on screen-reader adjustments at any time, users need only to press the Alt+1 keyboard combination. Screen-reader users also get automatic announcements to turn the Screen-reader mode on as soon as they enter the website.

These adjustments are compatible with all popular screen readers, including JAWS and NVDA.

Keyboard navigation optimization: The background process also adjusts the website’s HTML, and adds various behaviors using JavaScript code to make the website operable by the keyboard. This includes the ability to navigate the website using the Tab and Shift+Tab keys, operate dropdowns with the arrow keys, close them with Esc, trigger buttons and links using the Enter key, navigate between radio and checkbox elements using the arrow keys, and fill them in with the Spacebar or Enter key.Additionally, keyboard users will find quick-navigation and content-skip menus, available at any time by clicking Alt+1, or as the first elements of the site while navigating with the keyboard. The background process also handles triggered popups by moving the keyboard focus towards them as soon as they appear, and not allow the focus drift outside of it.

Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.

Disability profiles supported in our website

  • Epilepsy Safe Mode: this profile enables people with epilepsy to use the website safely by eliminating the risk of seizures that result from flashing or blinking animations and risky color combinations.
  • Visually Impaired Mode: this mode adjusts the website for the convenience of users with visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, Glaucoma, and others.
  • Cognitive Disability Mode: this mode provides different assistive options to help users with cognitive impairments such as Dyslexia, Autism, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of the website more easily.
  • ADHD Friendly Mode: this mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions.
  • Blindness Mode: this mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.
  • Keyboard Navigation Profile (Motor-Impaired): this profile enables motor-impaired persons to operate the website using the keyboard Tab, Shift+Tab, and the Enter keys. Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.

Additional UI, design, and readability adjustments

  • Font adjustments – users, can increase and decrease its size, change its family (type), adjust the spacing, alignment, line height, and more.
  • Color adjustments – users can select various color contrast profiles such as light, dark, inverted, and monochrome. Additionally, users can swap color schemes of titles, texts, and backgrounds, with over 7 different coloring options.
  • Animations – epileptic users can stop all running animations with the click of a button. Animations controlled by the interface include videos, GIFs, and CSS flashing transitions.
  • Content highlighting – users can choose to emphasize important elements such as links and titles. They can also choose to highlight focused or hovered elements only.
  • Audio muting – users with hearing devices may experience headaches or other issues due to automatic audio playing. This option lets users mute the entire website instantly.
  • Cognitive disorders – we utilize a search engine that is linked to Wikipedia and Wiktionary, allowing people with cognitive disorders to decipher meanings of phrases, initials, slang, and others.
  • Additional functions – we provide users the option to change cursor color and size, use a printing mode, enable a virtual keyboard, and many other functions.

Browser and assistive technology compatibility

We aim to support the widest array of browsers and assistive technologies as possible, so our users can choose the best fitting tools for them, with as few limitations as possible. Therefore, we have worked very hard to be able to support all major systems that comprise over 95% of the user market share including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Opera and Microsoft Edge, JAWS and NVDA (screen readers), both for Windows and for MAC users.

Notes, comments, and feedback

Despite our very best efforts to allow anybody to adjust the website to their needs, there may still be pages or sections that are not fully accessible, are in the process of becoming accessible, or are lacking an adequate technological solution to make them accessible. Still, we are continually improving our accessibility, adding, updating and improving its options and features, and developing and adopting new technologies. All this is meant to reach the optimal level of accessibility, following technological advancements. For any assistance, please reach out to [email protected] .

pale lavender sassy sister stuff site header with logo and tag line

  • Privacy Overview
  • Strictly Necessary Cookies

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

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”.

Related posts:

  • Charity Begins At Home
  • A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
  • Miles to Go Before I Sleep
  • All That Glitters is Not Gold
  • A Bird in the Hand
  • A Diamond in the Rough
  • A Diamond Is Forever
  • A Friend in Need
  • A Penny for Your Thoughts
  • A Man Who Is His Own Lawyer Has A Fool for a Client
  • Achilles Heel
  • Agree to Disagree
  • A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned
  • Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder
  • Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely
  • Arms Akimbo
  • Another Think Coming
  • A Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss
  • All’s Well That Ends Well
  • All Greek To Me
  • A Sight for Sore Eyes
  • As Snug As a Bug
  • As Straight As a Die
  • As The Crow Flies
  • Away With The Fairies
  • Baby Father
  • Back Seat Driver
  • Bane of Your Life
  • Batten Down the Hatches
  • Bee In Your Bonnet
  • Barrel of Laughs
  • Bell the Cat
  • Bells and Whistles
  • Beware of Greeks Bearing Gifts
  • Blind Man’s Buff
  • Blood, Sweat and Tears
  • Blown to Smithereens
  • Bob’s Your Uncle
  • Been There, Done That
  • Bought The Farm
  • Beggar Belief
  • Bury The Hatchet
  • Brownie Points
  • Call A Spade A Spade
  • Carry Coals To Newcastle
  • By The Board
  • By The Short Hairs
  • Stick in the Mud
  • Chinese Whispers
  • Chock A Block
  • Clod Hopper
  • ‎Close Quarters
  • Cloud Cuckoo Land
  • The Bitter End
  • Cold Turkey
  • Wish You Were Here
  • Comparisons Are Odious
  • Common Sense
  • The Weakest Link
  • Tongue in Cheek
  • Tooth and Nail
  • Cook The Books
  • We are not Amused
  • Your Name is Mud
  • Cool Britannia
  • Country Bumpkin
  • Crime Doesn’t Pay
  • Touch and Go
  • Two Heads are Better than One
  • Willy-nilly
  • Win Hands Down
  • Wreak Havoc
  • Cut the Mustard
  • Cut To The Chase
  • Dead Cat Bounce
  • Dead Ringer
  • Death And Taxes
  • Tempest in a Teapot
  • The Cat’s Pajamas
  • Dollars To Donuts
  • Different Strokes For Different Folks
  • Don’t Go There
  • Don’t Keep A Dog And Bark Yourself

Post navigation

TeachingBanyan.com

A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step – Proverb Meaning and Expansion of idea

The proverb ‘a journey of thousand miles begins with a single step’ means that big achievements are made through small but concrete resolves. Dreams and life goals are achieved by making a path plan and taking the first step towards it. The first step is most important because you may have big plans, but they will not materialize if you don’t take that first step. Therefore, it is true that a journey that might last for a thousand steps actually begins with a single step.

Expansion of idea

The proverb ‘a journey of thousand miles begins with a small step’ means that a long journey starts by taking a very small step towards the destination. The proverb signifies the first step as it indicates that the journey, howsoever, long, has already begun.

On the contrary, if the first step is not taken then the journey will remain only a dream and will never be realized. However long the journey is, it only materializes with the first step you take, that indicates your resolve.

The ‘journey’ here doesn’t specifically mean a journey or distance covered between two points, but also something as meaningful as a journey of life. To put it in simple words – If you have a dream and you want it to come true then you must chart out a plan and take that very important first step!

Short Stories on ‘A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step’

Stories are the best way to understand the true morale of a proverb. Here I am giving below a couple of stories on the theme ‘a journey of a thousand miles begins with a small step’.

Short Story 1

Once there lived a famous King who was respected and loved by his subjects. The king had a large stable with many beautiful horses, but there was one exceptionally beautiful horse named ‘Wind’. He was tan, tall and the most handsome horse in the whole kingdom, but there was a problem. Wind was very stubborn and wouldn’t act on anyone’s command, not even the King’s. King had a long-cherished dream of touring hundreds of miles on the back of ‘Wind’ and exploring his kingdom with him. But, wind wouldn’t allow anyone on his back for long.

The King sought the help of a famous horse trainer from another kingdom. The trainer was so good in his job that people called him the magician of horses. The trainer came and looked at wind, the horse. He looked beautiful the most beautiful horse he had ever seen. But as soon as he tried to hop on its back, the horse started rearing aggressively, sending the trainer to the ground.

The trainer asked King’s permission to walk the horse just a couple of steps every day; although confused the King consented. Within a month the horse was trained and would gladly allow King to ride on his back. King was surprised by the development and asked the trainer, how he achieved it. The trainer replied – “Dear King, the journey that you want to go on with this beautiful horse of yours began with that every step the horse took a month back. That day I knew that if he has allowed me to ride even for a single step it will ultimately also allow you to ride for miles. After all, a journey of thousand miles begins with a single step.”

Short Story 2

Once there lived a boy who was not very good in studies but he had big dreams. He wanted to do something in life but was always fearful and hesitant. He would fear the consequences and outcomes and kill his dreams every day. He was exceptionally good in painting but would fear to talk about it. He wanted to pursue it as a career option but was afraid to ask his father for the same.

His mother knew about her son’s dream and asked him to talk to his father openly about it. She told him that unless he asks his father to send him to some professional drawing class, the answer would always be ‘no’. He has to ask first to make things work out for him.

However, the boy gathered courage and asked his father to send him to a special drawing class. The father first gazed in surprise then allowed the boy to join a class. The boy was elated that day. Years after that incident the boy successfully runs an exhibition of his own paintings.

When he looks back, he feels glad that he took that first step of asking his father that would embark him on a journey of his dreams. If he hadn’t taken that first step, things would have been pretty different today. Indeed it is true that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, the man thought to himself.

Examples are the best way to understand the true meaning of a proverb. I am giving below some fresh examples based on the proverb ‘a journey of thousand miles begins with a small step’ that will let you better understand the proverb.

“The famous 240 miles Dandi March by Gandhi Ji was first started at his Ashram at Sabarmati, by taking the first step towards the coastal village of Dandi. True that a journey of thousand miles begins with a small step.”

“When I started the business, I had only one small outlet but today I own a chain of restaurants in the city, proving that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a small step.”

“The officer told the commissioned soldiers – you have already taken the first step towards a lifelong glory and courage. Indeed a journey of thousand miles begins with a single step.”

“The teacher told the students – even if you don’t want to study, just try to sit with a book and read it. Such small yet significant steps may decide your future. As you all know that a journey of thousand miles begins with a single step.”

“I remember a motivational speaker told me once – ‘the first step that you take towards your dream or journey is the most important, as it indicates you resolve towards the goal or destination’, therefore it is true that a journey of thousand miles begins with a single step.”

The proverb ‘A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step’ originated in China during the 6th century. A phrase similar appears in a Chinese religious text ‘Tao Te Ching’ composed by saint Laozi. The original text reads – “A journey of a thousand li, starts beneath one’s feet.” ‘Li’ in Chinese means mile.

Therefore, the proverb means that a journey of thousand miles starts beneath one’s feet which refer to the first step.

Since then the proverb has been transformed into different languages by sages, saints, and others. Today, it popularly used by motivational speakers across the globe.

The importance of the proverb ‘A journey of a thousand miles begins with a small step’ teaches us that if we want to realize our dreams then we must not be hesitant towards making our initial moves. We should be fearless in taking the first step.

It also teaches us that howsoever, big the distance might seem or the dreams may be just too big to realize, but we should not be discouraged by these facts, rather should firmly begin the journey, confiding in our own abilities. Bottom line is that the journey could be a thousand miles long but it sure will be finished one day if you take the first step with determination and confidence.

Related Posts

Health is wealth: proverb meaning and expansion of idea, honesty is the best policy: proverb meaning and expansion of idea, practice makes a man perfect: proverb meaning and expansion of idea, knowledge is power – proverb meaning and expansion of idea, prevention is better than cure – proverb meaning and expansion of idea, time and tide wait for none – proverb meaning and expansion of idea, work is worship – proverb meaning and expansion of idea, god helps those who help themselves – proverb meaning and expansion of idea, where there is a will there is a way – proverb meaning and expansion of idea.

  • Epictetus Quotes
  • Marcus Aurelius Quotes
  • Seneca Quotes
  • Zeno Quotes

“A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins With a Single Step” - Meaning and History

every journey starts with

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the sheer distance between you and your goals? If so, the saying "a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" can help you realize that you can start where you are with what you have.

This ancient Chinese proverb is profound in its simple explanation of how we can achieve great things. Let's take a deeper dive into this quote's meaning, history, and more.

“A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins With a Single Step” – The Meaning

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” is a Chinese proverb that originates from the Tao te Ching . The meaning of this saying is that even the most difficult and longest ventures have a specific starting point. Similarly, it implies that daunting tasks can typically be begun by doing something very simple.

“We all carry the seeds of greatness within us, but we need an image as a point of focus in order that they may sprout.” – Epictetus

This is a very useful proverb to use in your own life when you’re faced with a challenge or working towards a goal that feels impossible. The reality is that all great accomplishments and victories are comprised of many smaller, more simple steps.

It’s impressive how profound the messages are in this short maxim. From these eleven words, we can extract the following:

  • There is a starting point for even the longest and most difficult tasks
  • Overwhelming tasks can be started by doing something simple
  • Larger goals and challenges can be broken down into small steps
  • If we want to achieve something, we can start today
  • Procrastination only delays the process of taking small steps toward great things
  • We can decide to begin doing something great today

For example, let’s say that you wanted to own the most successful landscaping business in your city. This might seem like a lofty goal if you’ve never so much as mowed a lawn. However, you can create a plan for yourself that is made up of many small steps and milestones. With hard work, diligence, and focus, you’ll find that you make steady progress toward your goal over time.

This expression doesn’t just apply to tangible, concrete goals, though. You can also use it when working on your own personal growth.

“Assemble your life… action by action. And be satisfied if each one achieves its goal… No one can keep that from happening…Action by action.” — Marcus Aurelius

Let’s say, for instance, that you’ve noticed that you constantly overthink things to the extent that it’s holding you back. When something is a deeply entrenched habit, you aren’t going to be able to break it overnight.

However, you might start by working on building self-awareness, so you become more conscious of your overthinking habit. From there, you might use specific techniques to escape overthinking, make decisions more quickly, and start taking action. As time goes on, you’ll find that you’ve traveled very far from your initial starting point of overthinking every little thing.

The History of the Quote

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” is found in Chapter 64 of the Tao te Ching , which is one of the fundamental texts for both religious and philosophical Taoism along with the Zhuangzi .

The author of this ancient text is regarded traditionally as Laozi. However, there has been much debate throughout history about the identity of the person or people that wrote and compiled this text. The Tao te Ching is sometimes referred to as the Laozi , particularly in Chinese sources, as ancient Chinese books were often referenced by the name of the author.

Laozi is considered to be the founder of both religious and philosophical Taoism and is a central figure in Chinese culture. Many Chinese religious movements have been profoundly influenced by the work of Laozi.

The traditional accounts of Laozi’s life state that he was born in the 6th century BC in the state of Chu. He worked for the Zhou court at Wangcheng as the royal archivist and even, on one occasion, met and impressed Confucius. It is said that he wrote the Tao te Ching before going off into the western wilderness.

In Chinese folk religions, Laozi is regarded as a god or a saint. During the Tang dynasty, he was worshipped as an imperial ancestor. There is much that is unknown about Laozi despite the fact that he is tremendously historically important.

Many scholars have questioned whether there ever was a historical Laozi at all. Whether or not the man himself ever really lived, there is no denying the tremendous influence that the Tao te Ching has had since it was written more than two thousand years ago.

Though we may never know the precise biography of Laozi or the author(s) of the Tao te Ching , there's no question about the impact of the text and Taoism as a whole on Chinese culture and the world at large.

Similar to Stoicism in some ways, Taoism is a philosophy that helps people understand how they can exist in harmony with the universe. The Tao (sometimes spelled "Dao") is a difficult-to-define concept that is sometimes understood to mean "the way of the universe."

Another primary idea in Taoism is the idea that there are balancing forces in the universe, which are known as yin and yang. These matching pairs (such as action and inaction, light and dark, and hot and cold) work in tandem to create a universal whole. These concepts, in part, illustrate the fact that nothing exists in a vacuum and everything is connected.

Taoism existed alongside Buddhism and Confucianism for many centuries until a number of major religions were banned in 1949.

Different Translations

Laozi’s Tao Te Ching is the most translated book in the entire world after the Bible and the Bhagavad Gita. There have been more than one hundred different translations into English alone, not to mention dozens of translations into French, German, Dutch, Italian, Latin, and more.

Written in Classical Chinese, the Tao te Ching is a notably difficult text to comprehend and translate. The notable twentieth-century scholar on modern Chinese religions, Holmes Welch, noted that the written Classical Chinese lacked the following:

  • Active or passive
  • Singular or plural

There are also many grammatical particles missing in the text, which typically make it possible for comprehension and translation to be more precise. On top of that, many of the passages are deliberately ambiguous and vague.

To make things more complicated, there also aren’t any punctuation marks in Classical Chinese. As you might imagine, this makes it hard to determine with certainty the start and end of any given sentence.

Given all of these considerations, it’s worth looking at some of the different translations of this particular saying within its context in Chapter 64 of the Tao te Ching :

The giant pine tree grows from a tiny sprout. The journey of a thousand miles starts from beneath your feet.  – Translated by Stephen Mitchell A tree you can barely get your arms around grows from a tiny shoot A nine-story tower begins as a heap of earth A thousand mile journey begins under your feet. – Translated by Michael LaFargue A tree as big as a man’s embrace springs from a tiny sprout. A tower nine stories high begins with a heap of earth. A journey of a thousand leagues starts where your feet stand. – Translated by Wu A tree broader than a man's embrace grows from a tiny seedling. The tallest tower starts from a clod of earth. The longest journey begins with the first step. – Translated by Han Hiong Tan By closing the door, the entry is not possible, A big tree was in its beginning a tiny offshoot, Thus a great expedition starts with a little step.  – Translated by Sarbatoare A tree that fills the arms' embrace is born from a downy shoot; A terrace nine layers high starts from a basketful of earth; An ascent of a hundred strides begins beneath one's foot. – Translated by Victor H. Mair A tower of nine levels Starts from the dirt heap A journey of a thousand miles Begins beneath the feet – Translated by Derek Linn A massive tree grows from a little sprout.  A nine-story building rises from a clod of earth. A thousand fathoms begin with a single step. – Translated by Edward Brennan and Tao Huang A tree that can fill the span of a man’s arms Grows from a downy tip; A terrace nine storey’s high Rises from hodfuls of earth; A journey of a thousand miles Starts from beneath one’s feet. – Translated by D.C. Lau A tree as a big as a man’s embrace grows from a tiny shoot. A tower of nine storeys begins with a heap of earth. The journey of a thousand li starts from where one stands. – Translated by Wing-tsit Chan A tree so big that it takes both arms to surround starts out as the tiniest shoot; A nine-story terrace rises up from a basket of dirt. A high place one hundred, one thousand feet high begins from under your feet. – Translated by Robert Henricks A tree with a full span’s girth begins from a tiny sprout; A nine-storied terrace begins with a clod of earth. A journey of a thousand li begins at one’s feet. – Translated by Yutang Lin The most massive tree grows from a sprout; The highest building rises from a pile of earth; A journey of a thousand miles begins with a step.
– Translated by Thomas Cleary

As you can see, some of these passages use the word li in describing the length of the journey. The li is a traditional Chinese unit of distance and is also known as the Chinese mile. Precisely how far a li is has varied quite a bit over time. Generally, though, it used to be about one-third of an English mile and is now standardized as a half-kilometer.

Stoicism and the Tao te Ching

There are a number of notable similarities between the Tao te Ching and the philosophy of Stoicism . These include the importance of virtue, the idea that fear is created in the mind and not by external events, and the reality that adversity helps you to grow .

“First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.” – Epictetus

Let's dig into some of the major overlaps between these two schools of thought.

Understanding What’s In One’s Control

In the Tao te Ching , the author expresses that the wise person is able to look reality squarely in the eye without trying to exert control over it.

The Master sees things as they are, without trying to control them. She lets them go their own way, and resides at the center of the circle. – Laozi

Stoicism similarly posits that we must understand and accept the things that are outside of our control. Beyond that, we can even strive to embrace the way that things happen, even if it seems like the universe has turned against us. Through amor fati , we can see the bigger picture and recognize that all things that happen are, if not good, at least necessary.

Observe Yourself

When paging through the Tao te Ching , you'll likely notice the similarity that both Taoism and Stoicism ask you to watch yourself carefully.

“Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.”  – Laozi

Both of these schools of thought ask us to focus on our own actions rather than attaching ourselves to specific outcomes. They ask us to overcome ourselves and conquer ourselves.

Doing What Is Best For the Hive

Both Stoicism and Taoism emphasize the importance of the collective good. At the same time, they approach achieving what is best for humanity through the improvement of each individual.

It's easy to look at the world and see that things could be better. It's easy to run around blaming just about everyone for the state of things. The truth is, though, that you can't change other people by telling them how they should be. All you can do is work to improve yourself, and perhaps then you'll find that other people are changing by the nature of your example.

Relationship With Nature

Both Stoicism and Taoism propose that being a virtuous person means acting in accordance with nature.

“Water gives life to the ten thousand things and does not strive.

It flows in places men reject and so is like the Tao.

In dwelling, be close to the land.

  • Quote of the Day
  • Picture Quotes

Single Step Quotes

Standart top banner.

every journey starts with

Every journey begins with a single step.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Watch your step.

Every great accomplishment starts with a first step. No matter how big your goals are. No matter how great your plans are. No matter how immense your dreams are. It all begins with a single step. Take that step today!

Every journey starts with a single step.

The greatest journeys all start with a single step.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a cash advance.

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.

The longest journey begins with a single step.

Running has taken me on adventures great and small, at home and around the world. It has provided me with hope and perseverance on days when I had none-and even, once every great while, warmed me with that fleeting ray of sunshine known as glory. Running has taught me that I can do anything, just so long as I keep putting one foot in front of the other. Sometimes that notion is metaphorical and sometimes not. In this way, I have been inspired to attempt things I would have never dreamed possible. And it all started with a single step.

According to the ancient Chinese proverb, A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.

The indispensable first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: decide what you want.

The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people.

By striving to do the impossible, man has always achieved what is possible.

A lifestyle change begins with a vision and a single step.

If I look over my life, every single step of maturing for me, every single one, has had the exact same common denominator: accepting what was true over what I wished were true.

By striving to do the impossible, man has always achieved what is possible. Those who have cautiously done no more than they believed possible have never taken a single step forward.

The journey starts with a single step—not with thinking about taking a step.

Surrender is the quantum leap from mind to no-mind, from ego to egolessness. And in a single step the whole journey is contained. It is not a long journey from you to God, it is a single-step journey. It is not a gradual phenomenon; it is not that slowly slowly, gradually you come to the divine. It is a quantum leap! One moment you were in darkness and the next moment all is light. All that is needed is to put the ego aside.

The longest journey begins with a single step, not with the turn of an ignition key. That’s the best thing about walking, the journey itself. It doesn’t much matter whether you get where you’re going or not. You’ll get there anyway. Every good hike brings you eventually back home. Right where you started.

The journey of a thousand leagues begins with a single step. So we must never neglect any work of peace within our reach, however small.

What people forget is a journey to nowhere starts with a single step, too.

A journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step - Successful people are always looking for opportunities to help others.

There is only a single step between impurity and purity.

When we started out we got a lot of positive press around the single 'Step Into My World', and a lot of Radio play. The single did really well, so we were in the spotlight straight away. I obviously had my history with Ride, but I didn't want to talk about that, so all the interviews centred around how I'd had these auditions and found the band members that way. I think people felt like that was not 'for real' enough or something.

last adds STANDART BOTTOM BANNER

Send report.

  • The author didn't say that
  • There is a mistake in the text of this quote
  • The quote belongs to another author
  • Other error

Top Authors

' class=

Get Social with AzQuotes

Follow AzQuotes on Facebook, Twitter and Google+. Every day we present the best quotes! Improve yourself, find your inspiration, share with friends

SIDE STANDART BANNER

  • Javascript and RSS feeds
  • WordPress plugin
  • ES Version AZQuotes.ES
  • Submit Quotes
  • Privacy Policy

Login with your account

Create account, find your account.

a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

  • 1.1 Alternative forms
  • 1.2 Etymology
  • 1.3.1 Synonyms
  • 1.3.2 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 / 千里之行,始于足下 ( 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.

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 ]

every journey starts with

  • English terms calqued from Chinese
  • English terms derived from Chinese
  • 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

Navigation menu

Jane Taylor - Logo-2

20 Quotes to Inspire You to Take Small Simple Steps Each Day

JT-Great-things-are-not-done-by-impulse-but-by-a-series-of-small-things-brought-together.-Vincent-Van-Gogh

In life we can get overwhelmed with everything we want to do in order to get to the future and reach our goals (whilst avoiding the present moment). Or maybe we have faulty thoughts or distortions playing in our mind, saying we are not “good enough” to be the person we would like to be.

One thing I know from my own life and the things I have completed (from being a  professional athlete  to going to university or learning pilates) is that we only ever have this moment and can take one step or moment at a time.

I wonder what life would be like if we enjoyed the journey more and remembered this? When we slow down, take time out to reflect to find out what is important to us. Then we can reconnect with our courage, follow those dreams and remember we can only ever take one step at a time

I hope the following 20 quotes inspire you to take small steps each day, so you can create the life you wish for –

  • “You need to be content with small steps. That’s all life is. Small steps that you take every day so when you look back down the road it all adds up and you know you covered some distance.” ~ Katie Kacvinsky
  • “Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.” ~ Vincent Van Gogh
  • “Each step you take reveals a new horizon. You have taken the first step today. Now, I challenge you to take another.” ~ Dan Poynter
  • “It is better to take many small steps in the right direction than to make a great leap forward only to stumble backward.” ~ Old Chinese Proverb
  • “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” ~ Robert Collier
  • “Habit is habit and not to be flung out of the window by any man, but coaxed downstairs a step at a time.” ~ Mark Twain
  • “Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still.” ~ Chinese Proverb
  • “It’s the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen.” ~ John Wooden
  • “Take small steps every day and one day you will get there.” ~ Unknown
  • “Have a bias toward action – let’s see something happen now. You can break that big plan into small steps and take the first step right away.” ~ Indira Ghandi
“I long to accomplish a great and noble task; but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble.” ~ Helen Keller
  • “The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” ~ Chinese Proverb
  • “It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop” ~ Confucius
  • “Do small things with great love.” ~ Mother Theresa
  • “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant.” ~ Robert Louis Stevenson
  • “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” ~ Lao Tzu
  • “Big things have small beginnings.” ~ Promethus
  • “The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking you complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one.” ~ Mark Twain
  • “One may walk over the highest mountain one step at a time.” ~ John Wanamaker
  • “The key to realizing a dream is to focus not on success but on significance – and then even the small steps and little victories along your path with take on greater meaning.” ~ Oprah Winfrey

Reflection –

  • Which quote did you like the best?
  • Are you inspired to take some small steps now to live your dream life? If so, feel free to share one below.

Are ready to reclaim your courage and be whole-heartedly you? If so, feel free to take the   next step towards freedom and opening your heart and join our  Toolkit .

' src=

Thank you. ❤

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Motivational And Inspirational Blog

85 Taking The First Step Quotes To Your Journey Of Success

Ananya Bhatt

  • March 20, 2024
  • Inspirational Quotes

Looking for famous quotes about taking the first step towards success? We have rounded up the best collection of taking the first step quotes, sayings, proverbs, and captions, (with images and pictures) to inspire you to be brave and start your journey one step at a time with courage and willpower.

Also See: One Step At A Time Quotes

Life is a series of small steps and efforts taken along the way consistently. And if you add up these tiny baby steps you take forward you reach your goal.

Whether it’s your business, work, fitness , health, or studies, the improvement in any of these areas, is a gradual phenomenon. We need to be committed work on yourself every day making small positive changes regularly.

Usually, people are afraid to take the leap of faith and they fail to move forward towards their dreams. This is failure by default. But the first step comes with faith and self-confidence. Do never forget that the journey of a thousand miles is worth the effort only when we take one step at a time.

Just like a child does not learn to walk all at once, they start with baby steps , they crawl, fall, and then they learn how to walk, and run.

Similarly, the process of achieving your dreams and finding success is a gradual process. Take one step at a time because work that is done in haste may lead us to failure. So try and take the long road and keep on stepping forward.

These motivational quotes are divided into these sections:

Taking The First Step Quotes

Making first step quotes for success.

Never be disappointed with small failures, you will fall, and learn how to get back on your feet again. I hope these quotes inspire you to keep working hard, no matter what your speed is. Moving forward is the key.

If you are encouraged by these taking the first step quotes of a journey then also check our posts on, keep going quotes and trust the process quotes to inspire you to have faith and keep working hard.

  • “Every journey needs a first step.”
  • “Every adventure requires a first step.”
  • “Trust is the first step to love.” – Munshi Premchand
  • “The first steps that baby takes are into your heart.”

first step quotes

  • “On this path, it is only the first step that counts.” – John Vianney
  • “The first step of change is to become aware of your own bullsh.”
  • “Does He not see my ways And number all my steps?” – Jobs 31:4
  • “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” – Lao Tzu

taking the first step quotes

  • “We progress a step farther, in each tick of the clock.” – Ronnie Cornelisz
  • “Small is not just a stepping-stone… a great destination itself.” – Jason Fried

taking that first step quotes

  • “Courage isn’t about knowing the path, it’s about taking the first step.” – Katie Davis

quotes on first step

“The step in a new direction doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be a step.” – Unknown

  • “The steps of a man are established by the Lord, And He delights in his way.” – Psalm 37:23

MLK quote faith is taking the first step

  • “He dares to be a fool, and that is the first step in the direction of wisdom.” – James Huneker
  • “Order and simplification are the first steps toward the mastery of a subject.” – Thomas Mann

“The man who removes the mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” – Chinese proverb

  • “Even the greatest was once a beginner. Don’t be afraid to take that first step.” – Muhammad Ali
  • “The first step toward change is awareness. The second step is acceptance.” – Nathaniel Branden
  • “The first step is to establish that something is possible. Then probability will occur.” – Unknown
  • “A 10,000 mile walk, begins with a single step and continues one step at a time.” – Rickson Gracie
  • “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Watch your step.” – Thomas S. Monson
  • “Be what you are. This is the first step toward becoming better than you are.” – Julius Charles Hare
  • “The discipline of writing something down is the first step toward making it happen.” – Lee Iacocca
  • “Faith is taking the first step even when you can’t see the whole staircase.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
  • “There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1
  • “The first step is always the hardest but once you take your first step, things will get easier from then on.”
  • “What is defeat? Nothing but education, nothing but the first step to something better.” – Wendell Phillips
  • “Understanding is the first step to acceptance, and only with acceptance can there be recovery.” – J. K. Rowling
  • “The first step in our walk of faith is to stop our own works and rest in God’s love, wisdom and power.” – T. B. Joshua
  • “Acceptance of what has happened is the first step to overcoming the consequences of any misfortune.” – William James
  • “The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are.” – Chauncey Depew
  • “I think this is the start of something really big. Sometimes that first step is the hardest one, and we’ve just taken it.” – Steve Jobs

“The important thing is to take that first step. Bravely overcoming one small fear gives you the courage to take on the next.” – Daisku Ikeda

  • “Most times, the way isn’t clear, but you want to start anyway. It is in starting… that other steps become clearer.” – Israelmore Ayivor
  • “Take one step at a time and don’t settle for anything less. Use the power of your mind to your full advantage to reach success.” – Raymond Isaacs
  • “All that matters is that you are pushing yourself and challenging yourself and trying to finish… get out of your comfort zone.” – Anthony Chapman
  • “The best feeling in the world is finally knowing you took a step in the right direction. A step towards the future where everything that you never thought was possible, is possible.”
  • “Remember, one step leads to the other and therefore never neglect the first step. It will give you the confidence you need to sail through with victory.” – Israelmore Ayivor

Dreaming big is the first step to success. It is important to aim high to accomplish big targets in our lives. We need to be ambitious and passionate about things we want for ourselves.

Though your dreams may seem hard to achieve but your hard work and persistence will take you through all the big goals that you have set up for yourself. Start small and go where your dreams take you.

Also See: Keep Trying Quotes

To enjoy real success, one has to believe in taking the first step towards it. Here we have collected the most inspirational taking the first step quotes to motivate you. You must also read our quotes on take a step back quotes and inspiring one day at a time quotes to inspire you to focus on Today!!

  • “One day… or day one. You decide.” – Unknown
  • “Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.”
  • “No matter how big or how small… just take the first step.”
  • “The first step is you have to say that you can.” – Will Smith

first step quotes images

  • “I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.” – Estée Lauder

“The scariest moment is always just before the start.” – Unknown

  • “A smooth sea never makes a skilled sailor.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt

“One step at a time is all it takes to get you there.” – Emily Dickinson                                                 

the importance of small steps quotes

  • “A man who loves himself takes the first step towards real love.” – Osho
  • “Every step is a first step if it’s a step in the right direction.” – Terry Pratchett
  • “Today make the choice to take a chance and watch how your life will change.”
  • “Take the first step. No more, no less, and the next will be revealed.” – Unknown
  • “This is one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” – Neil Armstrong
  • “Every journey begins with a single step. But you’ll never finish if you never start.”
  • “The first step towards knowledge is to know that we are ignorant.” – Richard Cecil
  • “Every adventure requires a first step. Trite but true, even here.” – American McGee
  • “You’ll never know what you’re capable of until you take that first step and go for it.”
  • “The first step of handling anything is gaining the ability to face it.” – L. Ron Hubbard

“Don’t let the entire staircase overwhelm you. Just focus on that first step.” – Unknown

  • “The act of taking the first step is what separates the winners from the losers.” – Brian Tracy
  • “The first step is the hardest – making a commitment to yourself, for yourself.” – Mary Kay Ash
  • “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” – Chinese Proverb
  • “A little simplification would be the first step toward rational living, I think.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
  • “You will never know what you are capable of… If you never take the first step and try. Do it now.”
  • “The very first step towards success in any occupation is to become interested in it.” – William Osler
  • “Fear will try to keep you from taking that first step. Don’t give in to fear, do it afraid.” – Joyce Mayer
  • “If you believe, then you have already taken the first step towards your achievement.” – Rickson Gracie
  • “You don’t have to know everything about the mountain in front of you to take the next step.” – Louie Gigilo
  • “The first step in the evolution of ethics is a sense of solidarity with other human beings.” – Albert Schweitzer
  • “The indispensable first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: decide what you want.” – Ben Stein

“Take baby steps towards health, fitness, and weight loss, because baby steps are small and easy to achieve.” – Unknown

  • “Taking the first step is the difference between actually pursuing your passion and just dreaming about it.” – Jack Canfield
  • “If we are to abolish the death penalty, I should like to see the first step taken by our friends the murderers.” – Alphonse Karr
  • “The first step is to believe that it’s possible. Once I had a taste of success, you start to believe in it a little more.” – Jarome Iginla
  • “Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life. Tip toe if you must, but take the step.”
  • “Throughout the centuries there were men who took first steps, down new roads, armed with nothing but their own vision.” – Ayn Rand
  • “Each step you take reveals a new horizon. You have taken the first step today. Now, I challenge you to take another.” – Dan Poynter
  • “A consciousness of wrongdoing is the first step to salvation…you have to catch yourself doing it before you can correct it.” – Seneca the Younger
  • “Have a bias toward action – let’s see something happen now. You can break that big plan into small steps and take the first step right away.” – Indira Gandhi
  • “Sometimes you have to realize when a chapter with someone is over. If they didn’t treat you right, then you need to realize how much more you deserve!! You just have to take the first step by moving on.” – Shanae Alette
  • “When you pray, you know that you want something, that’s always the first step. to let yourself know that you want something, that you yearn for it. sometimes that’s the hardest thing to do. Because you have to have courage to know what you desire. You have to have courage to acknowledge that you are unhappy without it.” – Philippa Gregory

You May Also Like;

Focus Quotes

Goal Quotes

Moving on Quotes

Determination Quotes

Hustle and Grind Quotes

Best Quotes About Growth

Inspirational Change Quotes

If you like these uplifting taking the first step quotes then also check our posts on breathe quotes and you got this quotes to inspire you to believe in yourself and know that you have got everything it takes to be successful and fulfill your dreams.

Here are some take each day one step at a time quotes, small steps quotes, first step quotes, small changes quotes, take one step at a time Bible quotes, one step at a time hip hop quotes and one step at a time quotes to inspire you.

If you have some of your favorite quotes which are not included in the above list, please share them in the comments section below and we will love to add them to the list.

Feel free to share with friends and family on Facebook, Tumblr, Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter, and more to motivate them every morning.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Posts

105 Try Again Quotes To Motivate You To Keep Trying

Try Again Quotes To Motivate You To Keep Trying

Top 50 Quando Rondo Quotes, Lyrics About Love & Life

Top 50 Quando Rondo Quotes, Lyrics About Love & Life

Funny Dog Instagram Captions

120 Dog Instagram Captions You’ll Love to Share

60 Moderation Quotes To Live A Moderate and Balanced Life

60 Moderation Quotes To Live A Moderate and Balanced Life

Weightlifting Quotes To Crush Your Fitness Goals

75 Weightlifting Quotes To Crush Your Fitness Goals (Motivation)

90 Reaction Quotes To Help You To Respond Wisely

90 Reaction Quotes To Help You To Respond Wisely

Level Up Your Skills

Level Up Your Skills

The Power Of A Single Step: Embracing The Journey

Level up your finances.

Free financial calculators to help you save more money!

The power of a single step is remarkable. Hello, dear readers! Today, let’s talk about a quote that’s always been inspirational. It comes from Lao Tzu , a famous philosopher from ancient China: “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

Now, I know, I know. It’s easy to look at this quote and think, “Well, that sounds great and all, but it’s not exactly breaking news.” So, let’s discuss this further.

The Power of a Single Step

When you think about a journey of a thousand miles, it sounds overwhelming, right? You might visualize steep hills, the hot sun, rough terrain, or treacherous weather.

Much the same, facing a massive project at work, working toward a fitness goal, or pursuing a personal ambition could be a lengthy journey. When you analyze the scope and amount of work required, it might seem like a mountain that’s too big to climb.

But let’s stop for a moment. Let’s think about the second part of that quote – “begins with a single step.” It’s where the magic starts!

Take That Single Step

Going The Distance

It isn’t about the thousand miles. It’s the single step that starts it all. It’s the decision to lace up your shoes and take that initial stride. It’s about having the courage to start, even when facing a long, uncertain road ahead.

Every grand journey, every significant achievement, and every monumental task begins with a simple, achievable action: a single step.

What do you aspire to do ? Write a book, start a business, learn a new language, or make a new friend?

Every book begins with a single word. Every business begins with a single idea. Every language starts with a single phrase. Every friendship begins with a single “hello.”

When we break down our goals into these ‘single steps,’ suddenly, they seem less daunting. For example, it’s easier to write one word than it is to write a whole book. So, instead of focusing on the monumental task ahead, we can focus on the single step we must take. And then, we take the next one and the next one until we’ve traveled a thousand miles before we know it.

Embracing The Journey

So let’s promise ourselves today: whenever starting a journey that seems a thousand miles long, remember one step at a time works. And once you start, keep putting one foot in front of the other to gain momentum.

Every step forward gets you closer to arriving at your goal destination, regardless of how far away it seems. So, what’s your ‘single step’ going to be? Remember, it doesn’t have to be a leap; it just needs to move you forward.

And the journey starts once you put one foot in front of another. So, lace up those proverbial shoes, take a deep breath, and step out. Who knows where your journey will lead?

Until next time, keep stepping forward!

Make Today Amazing Holographic Die-Cut Stickers

Updated 1/04/2024

Follow

Related posts:

Tomorrow's Success Starts Today: Embracing the Power of the Present

Need inspiration?

Sign up for our weekly newsletter and keep the fires burning!

' title=

Every Journey Begins With a Step Sample

Bible Icon

Start with a step forward.

As we journey forward in our walk with God, we must continually listen to God’s voice and take steps forward in obedience. God will prompt us to move forward in our relationships, make bold moves in business, and continually press in to know Him better.

For me, it’s easier and sometimes even fun to take steps when the path seems clear, and I have some understanding of what’s ahead. But when we look at Abraham’s example, we can see that he began moving before he knew where he was going. Sometimes, God will invite us to walk before he shows us the destination.

I’ve found in business that there are times when we have to trust God and make decisions based on what we know of His character more than knowledge of the outcome.

When faced with a difficult situation, ask these questions:

  • What is the problem?
  • What is God’s response?
  • What steps can I take this week to walk forward in faith?

Our faith grows as we trust God, follow His direction, and see Him prove Himself repeatedly. Just as Abraham had to step out and move his family and household to a land God promised him without fully knowing where he was going, we, too, get to adventure with God through all the twists and turns our life presents.

Faith without works is dead. (James 2:20) Therefore, we must act on our faith. Faith is an action word – it requires us to step out. We can say we believe in God, but we prove our faith when we’re tested. Will you follow and obey even if it’s hard? Even if you can’t see the full picture? Anyone can say they believe God when they are comfortable and safe. It’s when trial comes that we show our real convictions.

As we follow through, obey, and walk with God, we see His faithfulness, and our faith grows. God invites us to participate in what He’s doing because He wants relationship with us. He wants us to partner with Him to shine His light into the world. What an amazing concept! Our faith equips us to team up with God.

What steps of faith can you take this week?

Hebrews 11:8

Genesis 12:1-9

About this Plan

Every Journey Begins With a Step

Leadership Lessons from the Life of Abraham

We would like to thank John Houston for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: https://meetjohnhouston.com

Related Plans

Daughter: Becoming Who You Already Are

Daughter: Becoming Who You Already Are

The Waiting Season.

The Waiting Season.

Holy Week With LaDonna Osborn

Holy Week With LaDonna Osborn

Holy Week Reading and Listening Plan

Holy Week Reading and Listening Plan

Holy Week: Symbols of Suffering and Life

Holy Week: Symbols of Suffering and Life

TheLionWithin.Us: How to Reap a Better Harvest

TheLionWithin.Us: How to Reap a Better Harvest

From Broken Boy to Mended Man

From Broken Boy to Mended Man

The Triumph: Your Guide to Spiritual Warfare

The Triumph: Your Guide to Spiritual Warfare

Journey Through Holy Week With the Archbishop of Canterbury

Journey Through Holy Week With the Archbishop of Canterbury

Easter - Where It Happened

Easter - Where It Happened

YouVersion uses cookies to personalize your experience. By using our website, you accept our use of cookies as described in our Privacy Policy

The University of Texas at Austin

Israel-Hamas war latest: Hamas number three killed, US says - as video shows anguish after Israel's raid on hospital

The US has said Israel killed Hamas number three Marwan Issa in an operation last week. Meanwhile, the Israeli military claims 20 Hamas fighters were killed and dozens of suspects arrested in a raid on Gaza's al Shifa hospital - which the health ministry described as a war crime.

Tuesday 19 March 2024 10:55, UK

  • Israel-Hamas war

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

  • US says Hamas number three Marwan Issa killed by Israel
  • Alistair Bunkall: Death is a big success for Israel
  • IDF soldiers raid al Shifa hospital in Gaza City
  • Screams of anguish in video showing aftermath of Israel's raid on hospital
  • Several killed as hospital on fire, say Palestinian health officials
  • Journalist 'beaten and detained' in raid
  • Michael Clarke : Israel under pressure as evidence grows it is committing systematic war crimes
  • Watch: Israel films storming of hospital by drone | What video tells us about the raid
  • Biden speaks to Israeli PM - their first call in 32 days

That's all for this evening, but we'll be back tomorrow with regular updates and analysis.

Scroll down to read what happened during the day.

Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau has joined those to express their concern about Israel's planned assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

Mr Trudeau was speaking with Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz on Monday.

A statement from Mr Trudeau's office said he had "shared his concern" around the planned offensive "and the severe humanitarian implications for all civilians taking refuge in the area".

"He underscored the need to increase the volume of life-saving humanitarian aid for civilians and to ensure aid reaches all those in need, safely and without delay."

Christopher Lockyear, from Doctors Without Borders says any attack on Rafah would be "a disaster upon a disaster".

He tells the camera he is travelling through part of Rafah "which is incredibly crowded - we've been moving at a snail's pace for the last 10-15 minutes or so".

"There are people everywhere, there are tents and makeshift shelters to the left and right of me and there are kids literally everywhere, which is a real shock."

Mr Lockyear said: "Clearly any ground invasion into Rafah would be an absolute catastrophe.

"It doesn't bear thinking about."

As we have been reporting today, the situation in Gaza is becoming increasingly desperate, with children now starving to death in the enclave.

The UN has said famine is imminent, and the head of its  Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief body, Martin Griffiths, has condemned world leaders for failing to prevent the current state of affairs.

"Famine is imminent in Gaza," he said.

"More than one million people are at risk because they have been cut off from life-saving aid, markets have collapsed and fields have been destroyed.

"The international community should hang its head in shame for failing to stop this.

"We must flood Gaza with food and other life-saving aid. There is no time to lose.

"I renew my call to the Israeli authorities to allow complete and unfettered access for humanitarian goods.

"We know that once a famine is declared, it is way too late. We also know that, with action and goodwill, it can be averted."

This is footage filmed by a Sky News team near the al Shifa hospital earlier today.

Israel raided the hospital for the second time during the war, accusing Hamas of using it as a base.

Israel said it had killed more than 20 gunmen in the operation.

The hospital was Gaza's largest before the war and is now one of the only healthcare facilities that is even partially operational in the territory's north.

It has also been housing displaced civilians.

Israel's prime minister has agreed to send a team of officials to Washington DC so "an alternative approach" can be discussed with regards to Israel's plans for Rafah.

The news comes from US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, who was speaking after a call between Joe Biden and Benjamin Netanyahu.

The team will include military intelligence and humanitarian officials but it was not clear when they would travel to the US.

Israel said last weekend that it planned to launch an assault on Rafah, but there is growing concern about the safety of civilians in the city - where more than one million people fled to after being ordered to evacuate other parts of Gaza by Israel.

The call between the two leaders also comes amid US frustration with Israel's conduct during the war, including accusations that it has prevented from getting into the enclave.

Mr Sullivan said a major ground offensive would be a "mistake" and would "further isolate Israel internationally".

Bearing in mind that Rafah is a primary entry point for aid from Egypt and Israel, he said an invasion would also "shut that down or at least put it at grave risk right at the moment when it is sorely needed".

Looking across the rest of Gaza, Mr Sullivan said a "humanitarian crisis" had descended.

"Anarchy reigns in areas that Israel's military has cleared but not stabilised," he said.

The death of Marwan Issa is a big success for Israel, writes  Middle East correspondent Alistair Bunkall .

First reported a week ago by the Jerusalem Post after an air strike in central Gaza, there was no official confirmation until tonight.

It's unclear why the US confirmed his death before Israel.

Issa is the deputy Commander of Hamas's military wing and would have been involved in the planning of the October 7th attacks. He is normally regarded as the number three in Hamas.

Issa has the nickname "shadow man" for his ability to evade Israeli forces.

The whereabouts of Hamas's leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, remains unknown, likewise Mohammed Deif, the commander of the military wing.

It's thought they might be hiding in the southern city of Rafah, one reason why Israel wants to send ground troops in, though if Issa was located in central Gaza then it's possible others might be there too.

The US says Israel killed Hamas number three Marwan Issa in an operation last week.

Sky News has approached the IDF for confirmation but their response was: "The IDF has no comment on the matter."

When we covered reports of the death on 11 March, Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari had said they were awaiting confirmation.

Below is the last-known photo of Issa, taken at a 2015 security conference organised by a Hamas-aligned organisation.

For those following the situation in the Middle East, one of the big questions is when - or if - Israel will launch its assault on Rafah.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during the weekend that the assault was still necessary to "eliminate the remaining terrorist battalions in Rafah".

But for those who are trying to arrange aid deliveries - and those who are desperately waiting for them - the lack of certainty is already risking lives.

United Nations humanitarian coordinator Jamie McGoldrick said aid operations in Gaza cannot be planned more than two or three days ahead at the moment because of the instability and uncertainty.

"It would be a really difficult scenario for us to envisage the possibility of hundreds of thousands of people being forced from Rafah because of the incursion.

"We are not in a position to contingency plan that. We're not in a position to pre-position shelter, material, food, medical supplies and especially water... It will be a real problem for us." 

Why does this matter?

It is already extremely difficult to get aid into Gaza due to the security situation and Israeli restrictions.

In desperation, a small group of countries has resorted to dropping aid from the air and deliveries have finally been arriving by sea - but neither of these makes up for the capacity that should be brought in by road.

And, as has been confirmed today, the need is immense - the UN says famine is "imminent" in northern Gaza and people in the rest of the enclave are struggling to access food.

Mr McGoldrick said: "If there was to be an incursion, that (aid) system we have, which is already precarious and intermittent, would then be broken."

Middle East correspondent Alistair Bunkall  is in Jerusalem and says the US and Israeli leaders would have had a lot to discuss during their 45-minute call.

"We have seen over recent weeks, in the absence of communication between the two leaders, quite a public spat between Israel and Washington, the US president making it very clear that he is not happy with the way that this war is being fought and the lack of humanitarian aid that is getting into Gaza.

"For his part, the Israeli prime minister has been defiant and adamant that Israel will pursue its war aims, specifically, the release of all the hostages and the elimination of Hamas in the Gaza Strip. If that means going into the southern city of Rafah, then that is what the Israelis plan to do."

Over the weekend we learnt that Israel is still planning to push ahead with an assault on Rafah, in Gaza's south.

The US, Israel's staunchest ally, has said it will not support such an operation without the Israelis presenting a credible plan to ensure the safety of civilians.

Bunkall said an assault on Rafah does not seem to be imminent but that the world is "increasingly concerned that Israel is gearing up for it", with all of the humanitarian consequences that could have.

Meanwhile, ceasefire talks have resumed in Qatar, with a senior Israeli delegation flying there today.

"The expectation is that they might take a long time, maybe a couple of weeks if they're going to be successful.

"But Hamas has lowered its demands, Israel is still saying that are being unrealistic in what they are expecting. But there is certainly, it seems, room for negotiation. And as long as that stays the case, then there will remain hope that a new ceasefire deal can be agreed at some point."

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

every journey starts with

For more audio journalism and storytelling, download New York Times Audio , a new iOS app available for news subscribers.

The Daily logo

  • March 19, 2024   •   27:29 Trump’s Plan to Take Away Biden’s Biggest Advantage
  • March 18, 2024   •   23:18 Your Car May Be Spying on You
  • March 17, 2024 The Sunday Read: ‘Sure, It Won an Oscar. But Is It Criterion?’
  • March 15, 2024   •   35:20 A Journey Through Putin’s Russia
  • March 14, 2024   •   28:21 It Sucks to Be 33
  • March 13, 2024   •   27:44 The Alarming Findings Inside a Mass Shooter’s Brain
  • March 12, 2024   •   27:30 Oregon Decriminalized Drugs. Voters Now Regret It.
  • March 11, 2024   •   29:07 The Billionaires’ Secret Plan to Solve California’s Housing Crisis
  • March 10, 2024 The Sunday Read: ‘Can Humans Endure the Psychological Torment of Mars?’
  • March 8, 2024   •   29:40 The State of the Union
  • March 7, 2024   •   32:31 The Miseducation of Google’s A.I.
  • March 6, 2024   •   23:07 The Unhappy Voters Who Could Swing the Election

The Sunday Read: ‘Sure, It Won an Oscar. But Is It Criterion?’

How the criterion collection became the film world’s arbiter of taste..

Narrated by Shaun Taylor-Corbett

  • Share full article

By Joshua Hunt

Produced by Aaron Esposito and Jack D’Isidoro

Edited by John Woo

Original music by Aaron Esposito

Engineered by Daniel Farrell and Andrea Vancura

Listen and follow The Daily Apple Podcasts | Spotify

In October 2022, amid a flurry of media appearances promoting their film “Tàr,” the director Todd Field and the star Cate Blanchett made time to visit a cramped closet in Manhattan. This closet, which has become a sacred space for movie buffs, was once a disused bathroom at the headquarters of the Criterion Collection, a 40-year-old company dedicated to “gathering the greatest films from around the world” and making high-quality editions available to the public on DVD and Blu-ray and, more recently, through its streaming service, the Criterion Channel. Today Criterion uses the closet as its stockroom, housing films by some 600 directors from more than 50 countries — a catalog so synonymous with cinematic achievement that it has come to function as a kind of film Hall of Fame. Through a combination of luck, obsession and good taste, this 55-person company has become the arbiter of what makes a great movie, more so than any Hollywood studio or awards ceremony.

There are a lot of ways to listen to “The Daily.” Here’s how.

We want to hear from you. Tune in, and tell us what you think. Email us at [email protected] . Follow Michael Barbaro on X: @mikiebarb . And if you’re interested in advertising with The Daily, write to us at [email protected] .

Additional production for The Sunday Read was contributed by Isabella Anderson, Anna Diamond, Sarah Diamond, Elena Hecht, Emma Kehlbeck, Tanya Pérez and Krish Seenivasan.

Advertisement

IMAGES

  1. Maya Angelou Quote: “Every journey begins with a single step.” (12

    every journey starts with

  2. Maya Angelou Quote: “Every journey begins with a single step.” (12

    every journey starts with

  3. Maya Angelou Quote: “Every journey begins with a single step.”

    every journey starts with

  4. Maya Angelou Quote: “Every journey begins with a single step.”

    every journey starts with

  5. Every Journey Starts With A Single Step

    every journey starts with

  6. Maya Angelou Quote: “Every journey begins with a single step.”

    every journey starts with

COMMENTS

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

    Jyutping. Cin1 lei5 zi1 hang4, ci2 jyu1 zuk1 ha6. "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" is a common saying that originated from a Chinese proverb. The quotation is from Chapter 64 of the Dao De Jing ascribed to Laozi, [1] although it is also erroneously ascribed to his contemporary Confucius. [2]

  2. The saying 'A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

    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"

  3. Even the longest journey starts with a single step (quotes)

    Patanjali. The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. Laozi. The greatest journeys all start with a single step. Bear Grylls. Every step begins a journey, and this one is for us. Erin Hunter. Every Journey, no matter how far, starts with one step. Eric Walters.

  4. Lao Tzu: 'The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.'

    The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. The quote by Lao Tzu, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step," encapsulates an essential and profound truth about life and achieving our goals. It emphasizes the significance of taking that initial step, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, as it is the catalyst ...

  5. 77 Beautiful JOURNEY QUOTES To Inspire Your Next Adventure

    Short Journey Quotes. Quotes don't have to be lengthy to capture the spirit of what they are trying to convey. These short journey quotes say so much with so little words. 16) "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.". - Lao Tzu. 17) "Learn to trust the journey, even when you do not understand it.".

  6. Every Journey Begins with a Choice: 65 Great Quotes About New

    Don't lose the chance to redesign it upon your dreams." | Rossana Condoleo. "Just make a decision — any decision — and keep moving forward." | Unknown. "Sometimes you just know it's time to start something new. Trust the magic of new beginnings." | Unknown. "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." | Lao Tzu.

  7. 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.

  8. A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step

    A phrase similar appears in a Chinese religious text 'Tao Te Ching' composed by saint Laozi. The original text reads - "A journey of a thousand li, starts beneath one's feet." 'Li' in Chinese means mile. Therefore, the proverb means that a journey of thousand miles starts beneath one's feet which refer to the first step.

  9. "Every journey begins with a single step."

    Oct 08, 2012 07:34PM. Lao Tzu — 'Every journey begins with a single step.'.

  10. "One Step at a Time Quotes: Inspiring Words for Progress"

    "Every great journey starts with a single step." - Maya Angelou, Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey Now (1993) Maya Angelou, a renowned poet and civil rights activist, shared this powerful insight in her book "Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey Now."

  11. Lao Tzu

    Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves. It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters. Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one. "The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step." - Lao Tzu quotes from BrainyQuote.com.

  12. "A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins With a Single Step"

    The History of the Quote. "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" is found in Chapter 64 of the Tao te Ching, which is one of the fundamental texts for both religious and philosophical Taoism along with the Zhuangzi. The author of this ancient text is regarded traditionally as Laozi. However, there has been much debate ...

  13. TOP 25 SINGLE STEP QUOTES (of 57)

    Every journey starts with a single step. Confucius. Journey, Steps. 27 Copy quote. The greatest journeys all start with a single step. Bear Grylls. Journey, Steps ... The longest journey begins with a single step, not with the turn of an ignition key. That's the best thing about walking, the journey itself. It doesn't much matter whether ...

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

    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

  15. "Every Journey Begins with a Single Step"

    Remember that every daunting task, every ambitious project, every life-changing journey starts the same way — with a single step. Take that step. Start your journey. Embrace the adventure.

  16. 20 Quotes to Inspire You to Take Small Simple Steps Each Day

    Little things make big things happen." ~ John Wooden. "Take small steps every day and one day you will get there." ~ Unknown. "Have a bias toward action - let's see something happen now. You can break that big plan into small steps and take the first step right away." ~ Indira Ghandi.

  17. 85 Taking The First Step Quotes To Your Journey Of Success

    the importance of small steps quotes. "A man who loves himself takes the first step towards real love.". - Osho. "Every step is a first step if it's a step in the right direction.". - Terry Pratchett. "Today make the choice to take a chance and watch how your life will change.". "Take the first step.

  18. [Morning Quote] A journey of a thousand miles begins with a ...

    3 min Read. "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" is a famous quote attributed to the ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, found in the Tao Te Ching, a classic text written ...

  19. The Power Of A Single Step: Embracing The Journey

    It's the single step that starts it all. It's the decision to lace up your shoes and take that initial stride. It's about having the courage to start, even when facing a long, uncertain road ahead. Every grand journey, every significant achievement, and every monumental task begins with a simple, achievable action: a single step.

  20. Every journey starts with a single step.

    Quote Meaning: The quote "Every journey starts with a single step" encapsulates a profound truth about the nature of progress and personal development. At its core, this statement emphasizes the significance of taking initiative and beginning the process of change or growth, no matter how small that initial action may be.

  21. Every Journey Begins With a Step

    Start with a step forward. As we journey forward in our walk with God, we must continually listen to God's voice and take steps forward in obedience. God will prompt us to move forward in our relationships, make bold moves in business, and continually press in to know Him better. For me, it's easier and sometimes even fun to take steps when ...

  22. Every Journey Begins With a Choice

    Yes! Many of the every journey begins with a choice, sold by the shops on Etsy, qualify for included shipping, such as: Pokémon FireRed or Leafgreen Choice Diorama, cube dioramagift for gamers miniature decor; Pokemon Distribution 120 Events Ultimate Gen 4 Event Cartridge Nintendo DS Heartgold/SS & Platinum/D/P

  23. Crystal Begins Booking 27-Country, $85,000 Luxury World Cruise

    The Crystal Serenity will depart on its global journey from Los Angeles on January 11, 2026. The 135-day voyage will include visits to 72 destinations in more than 27 countries, to experience ...

  24. Frit Film Series: Screening of Ninna Nanna Prigioniera/Imprisoned

    Synopsis: Lolita is two years old and lives with her mother Yasmina in prison. Day in and out, Lolita follows the same routine. Every morning the educators accompany her to a nursery outside the prison, and she returns for lunch and waits until 3 o'clock when she can go out in the prison yard for one hour. After free time, she re-enters the prison and remains there until the next morning.

  25. Israel-Hamas war latest: Hamas number three killed, US says

    The US has said Israel killed Hamas number three Marwan Issa in an operation last week. Meanwhile, the Israeli military claims 20 Hamas fighters were killed and dozens of suspects arrested in a ...

  26. The Sunday Read: 'Sure, It Won an Oscar. But Is It Criterion?'

    Listen and follow The Daily Apple Podcasts | Spotify. In October 2022, amid a flurry of media appearances promoting their film "Tàr," the director Todd Field and the star Cate Blanchett made ...