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Common saying ascribed to Lao Tzu From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"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 Tao Te Ching ascribed to Laozi,[1] although it is also erroneously ascribed to his contemporary Confucius.[2] This saying teaches that even the longest and most difficult ventures have a starting point; something which begins with one first step.
![]() | You can help expand this article with text translated from the corresponding article in Chinese. (December 2013) Click [show] for important translation instructions.
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A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step | |||||||||||||
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Traditional Chinese | 千里之行,始於足下 | ||||||||||||
Simplified Chinese | 千里之行,始于足下 | ||||||||||||
Literal meaning | A journey of a thousand Chinese miles (li) starts beneath one's feet | ||||||||||||
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The phrase is also translated as "A journey of a thousand miles begins from under the feet"[3] and "A thousand mile journey begins where one stands"[4]