A classical Chinese line for “Take the first step”

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

Plain meaningBegin with the first real step, however small.

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.

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.