a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step
English
Etymology
Calque from Chinese 千里之行,始於足下 (qiānlǐ zhī xíng, shǐyú zú xià), quoted by the Chinese philosopher Laozi (circa 604 BCE - circa 531 BCE) in the Tao Te Ching, chapter 64. Sometimes this quote is erroneously attributed to Laozi's contemporary, Confucius (circa 551 BCE - circa 479 BCE), founder of Confucianism.
Proverb
a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step
Synonyms
- 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
a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step