A classical Chinese line for “Progress comes from small steps”

Without accumulating small steps, one cannot reach a thousand miles; without gathering small streams, rivers and seas cannot form.

Plain meaningGreat progress is built from small, repeated actions.

A journey of a thousand miles begins beneath one's feet.

Plain meaningBegin with the first real step, however small.

If you desire speed, you will not arrive; if you chase small gains, great work will not be completed.

Plain meaningDo not let impatience or short-term rewards ruin the larger goal.

Things have roots and branches; affairs have endings and beginnings. To know what comes first and what follows is to approach the Way.

Plain meaningKnow what matters first, and do not confuse the root with the branches.

In all things, preparation leads to success; lack of preparation leads to failure.

Plain meaningPrepare before you begin if you want the work to stand.

When three people walk together, one of them must be my teacher. I follow what is good in them and correct in myself what is not good.

Plain meaningEveryone can teach you something—through an example to follow or a mistake to avoid.