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

The saying is commonly attributed to Laozi (Lao Tzu) and derives from the Daoist classic the Dao De Jing (Tao Te Ching), traditionally dated to the late Zhou period (often placed around the 4th–3rd century BCE, though authorship and dating are debated). It appears in a chapter that reflects on how great undertakings arise from small beginnings and how the “sage” acts by attending to what is subtle and incipient. In later reception—especially through modern English translations—the line became a standalone proverb used in self-help, leadership, and motivational contexts, often detached from the Dao De Jing’s broader emphasis on non-coercive action and alignment with the Dao.

The quote stresses that even the most daunting goal is initiated through a modest, concrete act: progress is cumulative, and beginnings matter. In a Daoist frame, it also cautions against fixating on grand outcomes while neglecting the small conditions that make them possible; the “thousand miles” is not conquered by force but traversed through steady, present steps. The line thus encourages humility and patience: large transformations—personal, political, or spiritual—are rooted in incremental choices. It can also be read as a reminder that intention without action remains inert; the first step converts aspiration into a path.

“The journey of a thousand miles begins beneath one’s feet.”
“A journey of a thousand li begins with a single step.”
“A thousand-mile journey begins with the first step.”