journey begins with a step quotes

Lao Tzu: 'The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.'

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.

The quote by Lao Tzu, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step," encapsulates an essential and profound truth about life and achieving our goals. It emphasizes the significance of taking that initial step, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, as it is the catalyst that sets us on our path toward progress and transformation.At first glance, the meaning of this quote is straightforward. It suggests that any monumental endeavor, no matter how intimidating or daunting it may seem, must start with a single action. It reminds us that great achievements are not made overnight but rather through a series of consistent and deliberate actions taken over time. This quote serves as a reminder that every long and arduous journey is comprised of numerous small steps, each contributing to our overall progress.However, to truly delve into the depth of this quote, we can introduce an unexpected philosophical concept: the idea of the interconnectedness of all things. Building upon Lao Tzu's wisdom, we can explore the notion that our initial step not only sets us on our individual journey but also initiates a ripple effect, influencing the world around us.Imagine for a moment, the act of taking the first step is like dropping a pebble into a still pond. As the pebble breaks the surface of the water, it creates ripples that extend outward in ever-widening circles. Similarly, when we take that first step towards achieving our dreams, we create a ripple effect that can reach far beyond our immediate sphere of influence.For instance, consider the story of a young artist who decides to take that initial step and display their work publicly for the first time. Though they may feel small and insignificant in the grand scheme of the art world, their act of courage and vulnerability inspires someone who views their work. That person, in turn, becomes motivated to pursue their own creative endeavors, sparking a chain reaction of inspiration and creative expression.Moreover, the idea of interconnectedness can also be applied to personal growth and our impact on others. Volunteering our time or lending a helping hand to someone in need may seem like a small gesture, but its effects can be profound. By taking that single step, we not only make a positive difference in the lives of others but also cultivate a greater sense of compassion and empathy within ourselves.In essence, Lao Tzu's quote reminds us that no action is inconsequential. Every step we take holds the potential to create a ripple effect, both within ourselves and the world around us. It encourages us to be mindful of the choices we make and to recognize the power and significance of even the smallest actions.The concept of interconnectedness challenges us to acknowledge the immense influence our actions can have on the trajectory of our lives and the lives of those around us. It invites us to consider the profound interconnectedness that exists between individuals, communities, and the world as a whole.In conclusion, Lao Tzu's quote, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step," serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of initiating action and the power of individual choices. It reminds us that even the smallest step can start a journey of transformation and have a profound impact on our lives and the lives of others.By introducing the concept of interconnectedness, we are reminded of the ripple effect our actions can create. This philosophical idea adds a layer of depth and complexity to the quote, stimulating contemplation about the interconnected nature of our world and encouraging us to recognize the far-reaching consequences of our actions. So, let us remember to be mindful of the steps we take and the effects they may have - for the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step, and that step can change the world.

Lao Tzu: 'Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.'

Thomas jefferson: 'whenever you do a thing, act as if all the world were watching.'.

77 Positive and Inspiring Journey Quotes

Embark on a journey of a lifetime with these inspiring journey quotes. Life’s a thrilling ride, filled with ups and downs.

It’s about braving the storms and cherishing time spent with loved ones.

So whether your path is spiritual, an exciting travel adventure, or just starting something new in life, let these quotes fuel your spirit for exploration and discovery.

Journey quotes to begin your path towards greatness

1. “Never give up on your dreams, no matter how painful and difficult your journey is.” – Lisa

2. “The journey is never ending. There’s always gonna be growth, improvement, adversity; you just gotta take it all in and do what’s right, continue to grow, continue to live in the moment.” – Antonio Brown

3. “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” – Lao Tzu

4. “Sometimes its more about the journey than the destination.” – Jamal Crawford

5. “Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.” – Arthur Ashe

6. “Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it.” – Greg Anderson

New journey quotes to inspire your success

7. “Not all those who wander are lost.” – J.R.R. Tolkien

8. “Sometimes it’s the journey that teaches you a lot about your destination.” – Drake

9. “Sometimes we make the process more complicated than we need to. We will never make a journey of a thousand miles by fretting about how long it will take or how hard it will be. We make the journey by taking each day step by step and then repeating it again and again until we reach our destination.” – Joseph B. Wirthlin

10. “Enjoy the journey and try to get better every day. And don’t lose the passion and the love for what you do.” – Nadia Comaneci

11. “Struggle teaches you a lot of things, and I am happy that I witnessed a roller coaster ride. The journey has improved me as a person and made me more matrure.” – Manoj Bajpayee

12. “Life is short and we have never too much time for gladdening the hearts of those who are traveling the dark journey with us. Oh be swift to love, make haste to be kind.” – Henri Frederic Amiel

Life is a journey quotes

13. “Life is a journey that must be traveled no matter how bad the roads and accommodations.” – Oliver Goldsmith

14. “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” – Robert Frost

15. “Learn to trust the journey, even when you do not understand it.” – Lolly Daskal

16. “Life is a journey that have a lot of different paths, but any path you choose, use it as your destiny.” – Unknown

17. “The beautiful journey of today can only begin when we learn to let go of yesterday.” – Steve Maraboli

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18. “Life is a journey, not a destination.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

19. “Everyday you got a chance to make your journey more beautiful than yesterday.” – Nitin Namdeo

20. “Every day is a journey and the journey itself is home.” – Matsuo Basho

21. “Everybody has their own story; everything has their own journey.” – Thalia

Enjoy the journey quotes

22. “Enjoy the journey as much as the destination.” – Marshall Sylver

23. “Enjoy the journey of life and not just the endgame.” – Benedict Cumberbatch

24. “Enjoy the journey and try to get better everyday. And don’t lose the passion and the love for what you do.” – Nadia Comaneci

25. “Enjoy the journey, the destination will come.” – Verghese

26. “Don’t wait for everything to be perfect before you decide to enjoy your life.” – Joyce Meyer

27. “Dream big, stay positive, work hard, and enjoy the journey.” – Urijah Faber

28. “The key to realizing a dream is to focus not on success but significance, and then even the small steps and little victories along your path will take on greater meaning.” – Oprah Winfrey

29. “Aim for the sky, but move slowly, enjoying every step along the way. It is all those little steps that make the journey complete.” – Chanda Kochar

30. “Enjoy the journey, enjoy every moment, and quit worrying about winning and losing.” – Matt Biondi

31. “Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and enjoy the journey.” – Babs Hoffman

32. “I haven’t been everywhere but its on my list.” – Susan Sontag

33. “You must remain focused on your journey to greatness.” – Les Brown

Inspirational journey quotes

34. “You can never regret anything you do in life. You kind of have to learn the lesson from whatever the experience is and take it with you on your journey forward.” – Aubrey O’Day

35. “Life is a journey. When we stop, things don’t go right.” – Pope Francis

36. “There’s no map for you to follow and take your journey. You are Lewis and Clark. You are the mapmaker.” – Phillipa Soo

37. “I’m different than most people. When I cross the finish line of a big race, I see that people are ecstatic, but I’m thinking about what I’m going to do tomorrow. It’s as if my journey is everlasting, and there is no finish line.” – David Goggins

38. “We don’t receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us.” – Marcel Proust

39. “Though the road’s been rocky it sure feels good to me.” – Bob Marley

40. “We are at our very best, and we are happiest, when we are fully engaged in work we enjoy on the journey toward the goal we’ve established for ourselves. It gives meaning to our time off and comfort to our sleep. It makes everything else in life so wonderful, so worthwhile.” – Earl Nightingale

41. “Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become.” – Steve Jobs

42. “If my ship sails from sight, it doesn’t mean my journey ends, it simply means the river bends.” – Enoch Powell

Motivational journey quotes 

43. “Make voyages. Attempt them. There’s nothing else.” – Tennessee Williams

44. “Gotta take that adventure in order to understand your journey.” – Jennifer Pierre

45. “Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” – Theodore Roosevelt

46. “The beauty of my journey is that it’s always been pretty unpredictable, so stay tuned.” – Andreja Pejic

47. “The journey not the arrival matters.” – T.S. Eliot

48. “The future depends on what you do today.” – Mahatma Gandhi

49. “The goal is to die with memories, not dreams.” – Unknown

50. “Never throughout history has a man who lived a life of ease left a name worth remembering.” – Theodore Roosevelt

51. “The harder you work from something, the greater you’ll feel when you achieve it.” – Sudhashree Acharya

52. “Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over again in the quietest chambers. The mind can never break off from the journey.” – Pat Conroy

53. “The only impossible journey is the one you never begin.” – ILHQ

54. “When setting out on a journey do not seek advice from someone who never left home.” – Rumi

Positive journey quotes

55. “You may only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” – Mae West

56. “Every day you got a chance to make your journey more beautiful than yesterday.” – Nitin Namdeo

57. “Stay positive. Better days are on their way.” – Unknown

58. “Your destiny is to fulfill those things upon which you focus most intently. So choose to keep your focus on that which is truly magnificent, beautiful, uplifting and joyful. Your life is always moving toward something.” – Ralph Marston

59. “You make a life out of what you have, not what you’re missing.” – Kate Morton

60. “Every sunset is an opportunity to reset. Every sunrise begins with new eyes.” – Richie Norton

61. “Life is very interesting. In the end, some of your greatest pains, become your greatest strengths.” – Drew Barrymore

62. “Your journey has molded you for your greater good, and it was exactly what it needed to be. Don’t think you’ve lost time. There is no short-cutting life. It took each and every situation you have encountered to bring you to the now. And now is right on time.” – Asha Tyson

63. “And suddenty you know…It’s time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings.” – Meister Eckhart

64. “Find out who you are and do it on purpose.” – Dolly Parton

65. “Your success will be determined by your own confidence and fortitude.” – Michelle Obama

66. “Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.” – Oscar Wilde

67. “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” – Wayne Dyer

Journey of life quotes

68. “The only impossible journey is the one you never begin.” – Tony Robbins

69. “When you have a dream, you’ve got to grab it and never let go.” – Carol Burnett

70. “Life is 10% of what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.” – Charles R. Swindoll

71. “You take your life in your own hands, and what happens? A terrible thing, no one to blame.” – Erica Jong

72. “If all difficulties were known at the outset of a long journey, most of us would never start out at all.” – Dan Rather

73. “It’s your reaction to adversity, not adversity itself that determines how your life’s story will develop.” – Dieter F. Uchtdorf

74. “Your Monday morning thoughts set the tone for your whole week. See yourself getting stronger, and living a fulfilling, happier & healthier life.” – Germany Kent

75. “Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.” – Lou Holtz

76. “Our lives are the journey we take to find our true selves!” – Alyssa Gonzalez

77. “Your braver than you believe, stronger that you seem, and smarter than you think.” – A.A. Milne

Which of these journey quotes were your favorites?

We all have the potential within us to be great.

But greatness isn’t about luck. It’s a choice.

We must choose to succeed and take steps towards it.

Remember, the path to success is a journey, not a quick leap.

Let these quotes inspire you to stay focused on your goals and dreams, no matter what obstacles get in your way along the path.

Helping people and eating tacos are my jam! This blog exists to help provide tips and resources that can help you achieve your goals and live a better life. Whether you’re looking for tips on personal growth, fitness, advice on starting a side hustle, or resources for working remotely, I’ve got you covered.

Even the longest journey starts with a single step (quotes)

The longest journey starts with a single step.

• Every journey begins with a single step. Maya Angelou
• The longest journey begins with a single step. Patanjali
• The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. Laozi
• The greatest journeys all start with a single step. Bear Grylls
• Every step begins a journey, and this one is for us. Erin Hunter
• Every Journey, no matter how far, starts with one step. Eric Walters
• Every adventure requires a first step. Trite but true, even here. American McGee
• Your journey begins with a choice to get up, step out, and live fully. Oprah Winfrey
• What people forget is a journey to nowhere starts with a single step, too. Chuck Palahniuk
• The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Watch your step. Thomas S. Monson
• The journey starts with a single step—not with thinking about taking a step. Jeff Olson
• Hope puts up with modest gains, realizing that the longest journey starts with one step. James Keller
• How to begin the journey? You need only to take the first step. When? There is always now. George Leonard
• According to the ancient Chinese proverb, A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step. John F. Kennedy
• A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step and if that step is the right step, it becomes the last step. Laozi
• Your outer journey may contain a million steps; your inner journey only has one: the step you are taking right now. Eckhart Tolle
• The journey of a thousand leagues begins with a single step. So we must never neglect any work of peace within our reach, however small. Adlai E. Stevenson
• To take a journey of a thousand miles, you have to begin with the first step from the place where you stand; the romantic description of the journey and the things the body sees on the way and the description of the scenery are of no use unless you lift your foot and take the first step. Vimala Thakar
• Here is an old Oriental proverb: A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. It is difficult to anticipate just how a situation will develop in every detail until you take a step forward and try out your present equipment. Then, if weaknesses appear, you will have clues as to how to strengthen your resources. No scheme or plan is perfect. Perfection is a process, not an end. Napoleon Hill

The first step is the hardest

• The first step is the hardest. Marie Anne de Vichy-Chamrond
• On this path, it is only the first step that counts. John Vianney
• The first step of a journey is always the longest. Richard Paul Evans
• And like my dad always said, the first step is always the hardest. Sarah Dessen
• The first step is the hardest. Marie Anne de Vichy-Chamrond, marquise du Deffand
• The hardest step for a runner to take is the first one out the door. Ron Clarke
• The first step is the hardest – making a commitment to yourself, for yourself. Mary Kay Ash
• You have traveled far, but the hardest part of a journey is always the next step. Jackie Morris
• The most difficult part of any endeavour is taking the first step, making the first decision. Robyn Davidson
• The hardest part is starting. Once you get that out of the way, you’ll find the rest of the journey much easier. Simon Sinek
• I think this is the start of something really big. Sometimes that first step is the hardest one, and we’ve just taken it. Steve Jobs
• First steps are always the hardest but until they are taken the notion of progress remains only a notion and not an achievement. Aberjhani
• You must take the first step. The first steps will take some effort, maybe pain. But after that, everything that has to be done is real-life movement. Ben Stein
• Sometimes the first step is the hardest: coming up with an idea. Coming up with an idea should be like sitting on a pin-it should make you jump up and do something. Kemmons Wilson
• That step, the heroic first step of the journey, is out of, or over the edge of, your boundaries, and it often must be taken before you know that you will. Joseph Campbell
• Fret not where the road will take you. Instead concentrate on the first step. That’s the hardest part and that’s what you are responsible for. Once you take that step let everything do what it naturally does and the rest will follow. Do not go with the flow. Be the flow. Elif Safak
• It is always the first and last steps that are the hardest to take. We walk away and try not to turn back, or we stand just outside the gates, terrified to find what’s waiting for us now that we’ve returned. In between, we stumble blindly from one place and life to the next. We try to do the best we can. There are moments like this, however, when we are neither coming nor going, and all we have to do is sit and look back on the life we have made. Dinaw Mengestu
• To change the world It starts with one step However small First step is hardest of all. Dave Matthews

The first step is the most important

• The first step is the most important. It is the most crucial and the most effective as it will initiate the direction you have chosen. Steve Backley
• The most important step of all is the first step. Start something. Blake Mycoskie
• The ending is the beginning, and the beginning is the first step, and the first step is the only step. Jiddu Krishnamurti
• The act of taking the first step is what separates the winners from the losers. Brian Tracy
• In a single step the whole journey is contained. Rajneesh

The first step is the longest

• The longest journey begins with a single step, not with the turn of an ignition key. That’s the best thing about walking, the journey itself. It doesn’t much matter whether you get where you’re going or not. You’ll get there anyway. Every good hike brings you eventually back home. Right where you started. Edward Abbey

Take the first step in faith with a sense of hope and belief

• For everyone, well-being is a journey. The secret is committing to that journey and taking those first steps with hope and belief in yourself. Deepak Chopra
• Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase. Martin Luther King, Jr.
• You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step. Martin Luther King, Jr.
• I’ve discovered that if I don’t take the first step, God generally won’t reveal the next step. Mark Batterson

Once the first step is taken, keep taking steps

• A journey of a thousand miles continues with the second step. Larry Wall
• When you arrive where you thought you wanted to be, you’ll just begin a new journey so enjoy each step along the way. Wayne Dyer
• With the first step, the number of shapes the walk might take is infinite, but then the walk begins to define itself as it goes along, though freedom remains total with each step: any tempting side road can be turned into an impulse, or any wild patch of woods can be explored. The pattern of the walk is to come true, is to be recognized, discovered. R. Ammons
• My journey has been a very slow build-up. Each year has been a step upward. I’ve never actually gone backward. Vijay Singh
• For every two steps forward, there is one step back. Don’t let that discourage you, because you can play a big part in ensuring that measurable change takes place in the coming decade. Jack Norris
• We will never make a journey of a thousand miles by fretting about how long it will take or how hard it will be. We make the journey by taking each day step by step and then repeating it again and again until we reach our destination. Joseph B. Wirthlin
• I have come to understand that that is what life is all about-a journey and the courage and energy always to take the next step and the next without judgement about what was right and what was wrong. Mary Balogh

Every step is a first step

• Every step is a first step if it’s a step in the right direction. Terry Pratchett

The journey must be taken one step at a time

• Peace is a journey of a thousand miles and it must be taken one step at a time. Lyndon B. Johnson
• No matter how long your journey appears to be, there is never more than this: one step, one breath, one moment… Now. Eckhart Tolle
• Allow yourself to experience fully every step of the journey, both the joy and the pain. You’re alive. Greet the moment at hand with a grateful heart. Eleanor Brown
• Process transforms any journey into a series of small steps, taken one by one, to reach any goal. Process transcends time, teaches patience, rests on a solid foundation of careful preparation, and embodies trust in our unfolding potential. Dan Millman

Savour each step

• Life is not a race, but a journey to be savoured each step of the way. Brian Dyson
• The only thing that is ultimately real about your journey is the step that you are taking at this moment. That’s all there ever is. Eckhart Tolle
• Were all on a golden journey-every one of us. A journey inspired by golden dreams, and at the end awaits a golden crown of righteousness….please remember that every step is to be cherished. Every single one. Chris Heimerdinger

Find the journey’s end in every step

• To finish the moment, to find the journey’s end in every step of the road, to live the greatest number of good hours, is wisdom. Ralph Waldo Emerson

On a lighter note

• The journey of a thousand miles begins with a cash advance. Alton Brown

The meaning and origin of the expression: A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

What's the meaning of the phrase 'a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step'.

The proverb 'a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step' puts forward the notion that, however difficult a task is, you can only complete it if you first start it.

What's the origin of the phrase 'A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step'?

'A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step' is different in that it actually was coined in China. Any saying that is associated with ancient China is generally labelled as being the work of Confucius. This one isn't.

Westerners like myself, who don't speak Chinese and have no real knowledge or understanding of Chinese history and culture, need to tread carefully when making pronouncements about who did what in China over two thousand years ago. What is generally accepted by scholars with a better grasp of Chinese and China is this...

The proverb 'A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step' is first found in the Tao Te Ching , which is a classical Chinese Taoist text usually credited to Laozi (a.k.a. Lao Tzu), and probably written between the 4th and 6th century BC. The original text is:

"A journey of a thousand li [a Chinese mile] starts beneath one's feet"

The Tao Te Ching, is not a neatly bound and dated book with a definitive ISBN number that you might buy on Amazon. There are numerous fragmentary copies differing in content, language and authorship and dating over several centuries. The authorship is uncertain and disputed and some scholars dispute even the existence of Lao Tzu, claiming him to be mythical sage rather than a real living person.

We might usefully consider the Tao Te Ching as having a similar standing in Chinese culture as Aesop's Fables has in the West. It is now widely believed that Aesop's Fables weren't written by one author and, even if they were, it wasn't Aesop who may well not have existed in the flesh.

The 'self-help' nature of the phrase has led to some parody, including this from the Anglo/Australian writer Kathy Lette:

A journey of self-discovery starts with a single step… But so does falling down a flight of stairs.

See also: the List of Proverbs .

By Gary Martin

Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step

Meaning of “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”.

This Chinese proverb means that a person must begin his or her journey to reach their goal or destination. It is a motivational proverb that expresses deep insight about determination and avoiding procrastination. It means a first step needs if we intend to finish a task or a thought on time . In other words, this expression tells that the great things commence with simple beginnings.

This proverb also stretches across two paradoxical phrases , ‘thousand miles’ and ‘single step’ while the emphasis is on a ‘single step.’ If an initiative is taken, the rest of the venture falls into place, and the mission starts. It also means that a voyage marked as a milestone starts with a single step. This proverb applies to a wide range of different circumstances where action needs to be taken for the completion of a task. Hence, in this saying ‘journey’ means a task/action and that it does not stay limited to traveling only. However, a step is an initiative or a starting point. A ‘thousand miles’ shows the longevity of a journey, while a ‘single step’ is an initial move. In other words, no matter how ambiguous the task is, how long the journey is or laborious the work is, a movement is always required to begin it.

Origin of “A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step”

“A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step” is a saying by an ancient Chinese philosopher. The original text is “A journey of a thousand li starts beneath one’s feet.”  Here li means distance. This quote was first used in Chinese classic text; Tao Te Ching attributed to Lao Tzu, a renowned Chinese philosopher. It was probably written between the 4 th or 6 th century.

Tzu’s powerful words have always been shadowed by renowned people. American President, John F Kennedy reintroduced this quote “A Journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” in 1963 about the first nuclear test ban agreement.

Examples in Literature

The journey of a thousand miles… by Ronnie James Corbin

“I’m pretty drunk right now , But my thoughts are clear enough to say, I believe in you. I believe in your dreams . I believe you can overcome your flaws. I believe you could write the masterpiece of our generation. You could cure cancer, bring world peace, and feed the hungry. You can show love. You can breathe your positive presence into the air. I want you to go forth and shine like the beautiful star that you are. Together we can demolish our egos. Start on the path to purity. They say the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step, So hold my hand, and follow me, As I take mine.”

Ronnie James Corbin is an Ohio-based American poet wrote this poem for his sweetheart requesting her to join the poet to defeat every other thing, including cancer. The use of the first person and the second person to counter it balances the poem. The poem is a marriage proposal after the presentation of both figures. It gets clear in the third last line where the long journey is a long life, while the next line shows the invitation as “hold my hand”.

There Is No Easy Way (But There Is a Way) by Willie Nelson

Now that we’re back together the battle is half won We’ll try to save a part of yesterday I know it won’t be easy but at least we have begun There is no easy way but there is a way We both could use some understanding trust would help And the journey of a thousand miles begins with just one step And is love not worth the price we’ll have to pay There is no easy way but there is a way We both could use some understanding trust would help And the journey of a thousand miles begins with just one step And is love not worth the price we’ll have to pay There is no easy way but there is a way

Willie Nelson, a songwriter and poet, wrote this song to convey his colleague and beloved that they could start the relationship again as there is always a way even if nothing is easy. For this purpose, he has used this proverb as a repetition as well as a refrain in the last two lines of both stanzas .

Journey of a Thousand Miles My Story By Lang Lang and David Ritz

This is an autobiography of a Chinese pianist Lang Lang. He co-wrote the book with David Ritz to underline his hard struggle when moving from a western Chinese city to Beijing. It is not just the story of a pianist prodigy, but a family saga. The writer includes his whole family, who supported Lang Lang until his stardom. His father’s tireless struggle to make his song a star goes a long way. Therefore, the title of the biography shows the courage and sacrifice that a father has demonstrated to make his son a star.

Examples in Sentences as Literary Devices

Example #1: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step and is finally covered after a time.” Here the proverb shows the journey that is covered only when a step is taken.

Example #2: “ He is an epitome of a journey of a thousand miles beings with a single step as he always takes a small step to do everything and completes it on time.” Here the proverb has been used as a metaphor as it shows the person as the model.

Example #3: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step is like a task that has many parts, and if a small part is done, it means the big task will be done too.” The proverb has been used as a simile as the use of “like” shows.

Example #4: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step forward or ends with a single step back.” This proverb also shows the use of a paradox a journey is of thousand miles, but it starts with a single step.

Example #5: “ A journey as long as a thousand mile begins with a single step” shows its use as a simile as it compares the longevity of a journey with a thousand miles. However, the proverb has been twisted a bit with the words “as long as”.

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The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. – Lao Tzu

When you succeed, people will probably see your success, but it is only you who knows all that it took to make you reach the point where you are today!

People usually talk about successful people too often, but they tend to forget to mention all the effort that it took to help you reach up to the position where you have been standing today.

Remember that the journey of a thousand miles does not happen in just a day; it takes miles to make that happen. You do not turn out to be successful overnight. It will take months and years to reach up to the position where you have been craving all this while.

Know that the path to success isn’t smooth, but if you have patience and an intention, you are sure to make up to it.

It takes one step to begin that journey, and that is the toughest segment of all. An initiative is the most integral part of gaining success.

Everyone can dream big, but it takes a lot of courage and focus to step down from the bed and think of walking ahead.

It is quite obvious that you will have to dedicate a lot of time in order to complete the journey, but if your intention is true, you will make it happen, be it sooner or later.

The path to success might be too long, but when you are motivated, you are sure to turn it according to you. All you need is to keep your peace of mind and keep on working hard.

At times, things might not go smooth, or turn against you, but that’s when you should keep calm and remind yourself of all the positive things that had occurred to you all through the journey.

Taking a step is a big deal, and that’s where most of the applicants tend to fail. Yes, you might have to take a risk, but that’s how the game works! You dream big, you risk it bigger, and it turns out to be even bigger.

Hence, if you want things to happen bigger, you might require to take a bigger bait, and only when you do it, you shall expect to get a bigger return.

Reaching up to that peak of success is a long journey , but when you take that small step, you gear yourself up for that bigger journey.

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Time and tide wait for none. – English Proverb

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Once you carry your own water, you will learn the value of every drop. – African Proverb

If you want to go fast go alone. If you want to go far go together. – African Proverb

Good people are like candles; they burn themselves up to give others light. – Turkish Proverb

老子 Lǎozi (c. 6th – 5th century BC) was a Chinese monist philosopher ; also called Lao Zi , Lao Tzu , Lao Tse , or Lao Tze . The Tao Te Ching (道德經, Pinyin : Dào Dé Jīng , or Dao De Jing ) represents the sole document generally attributed to Laozi.

• 1.1 Tao Te Ching
• 3 Misattributed
• 4 Quotes about Laozi
• 6 References
• 7.1 Chinese versions

Quotes [ edit ]

• Attributed to Laozi. Laozi speaking to Confucius. Quoted in James Legge, Texts of Taoism, 34; Quoted from Will Durant , Our Oriental Heritage .

Tao Te Ching [ edit ]

• Ch. 1, as translated by Ch'u Ta-Kao (1904)
• Also as Tao called Tao is not Tao.
• Ch. 1, Gia-Fu Feng & Jane English (1972)
• Ch. 1, as interpreted by Stephen Mitchell (1992)
• Ch. 1, as translated by J.H.McDonald (1996) [Public domain translation]
• Ch. 1, as interpreted by Ursula K. LeGuin (1998)
• Ch. 1, as translated by Thomas Cleary (2004)
• Chapter 1, translated by Yuhui Liang
• Chapter 23 as translated by Lionel Giles

It is hidden but always present. I don't know who gave birth to it. It is older than God .

• Ch. 4, as interpreted by Stephen Mitchell (1992)
• Chapter 4, translated by Yuhui Liang
• Ch. 5, as interpreted by Stephen Mitchell (1992)
• Chapter 5, translated by Yuhui Liang
• Ch. 6, as interpreted by Stephen Mitchell (1992)
• Ch. 14, translated by Arthur Waley, 1934
• A longer paraphrase of this quotation, with modern embellishments, is often attributed to Laozi: see "Misattributed" below.
• Ch. 21, as interpreted by Stephen Mitchell (1992)
• Ch. 22, as translated by Lin Yutang (1948)
• Ch. 25, as translated by Ch'u Ta-Kao (1904)

Thus the Master is available to all people and doesn't reject anyone. He is ready to use all situations and doesn't waste anything. This is called embodying the light.

• Ch. 27, as interpreted by Stephen Mitchell (1992)
• As quoted in In Search of King Solomon's Mines‎ (2003) by Tahir Shah, p. 217
• A true traveller has no fixed plan, and is not intent on arriving.
• Ch. 33, as interpreted by Stephen Mitchell (1992)
• Variant translation by Lin Yutang : "He who knows others is learned; he who knows himself is wise".
• Ch. 48, as translated by Raymond B. Blakney (1955)

*To attain knowledge, add things every day. To attain wisdom, remove things every day.

• Ch. 52 as translated by Arthur Waley (1934)
• Variant translation: The more prohibitions there are, the poorer the people will be.
• Qiān lǐ zhī xíng shǐ yú zú xià.
• Ch. 64, line 12
• Variant translations:
• A journey of a thousand [miles] starts with a single step.
• A journey of a thousand miles started with a first step.
• As translated by Dr. Hilmar Klaus
• Every journey begins with a single step.
• Chapter 72, translated by Gia Fu Feng
• People starved because the ruler taxed too heavily.
• Ch. 81 as interpreted by Stephen Mitchell (1992)
• Chapter 81, translated by Yuhui Liang

Disputed [ edit ]

• Ch. 59 as interpreted by Stephen Mitchell (1992)

Misattributed [ edit ]

• From Lu Tong (also spelled as Lu Tung)
• This quote's origin is actually unknown (see "give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime" on Wiktionary ). This quotation has also been misattributed to Confucius and Guan Zhong .
• Attributed to Laozi in self-help books and on social media, this quotation is of unknown origin and date.
• Tell me and I [will] forget. Show me and I [will] remember. Involve me and I [will] understand.
• From Xun Zi 荀子
• This is a paraphrase of lines in " The Second Coming " by William Butler Yeats .
• 生命是一连串的自发的自然变化。逆流而动只会徒增伤悲。接受现实，万物自然循着规律发展。
• Also: "Care about what other people think and you will always be their prisoner"
• Appears in Stephen Mitchell's rendering into English of Tao Te Ching chapter 9; but this is an interpretation of Mitchell's which does not appear in the original text or other recognized English translations. Repeated without attribution in Gilliland, Hide Your Goat , a positive thinking book published in 2013.
• Attributed to "Jimmy R." in Days of Healing, Days of Joy (1987) [1]
• Only the final bold section is connected to Laozi (see Ch. 17 of Tao Te Ching above). The origin of the added first section is unclear.
• This is actually a Mexican proverb [2]

Quotes about Laozi [ edit ]

• Oliver Benjamin , as quoted in "Big Lebowski Spawns Religion" by Yusuf Laher in Don't Panic Online (11 April 2011)
• Rev. Dwayne Eutsey, in the Introduction of the Dudeist holy book The Dude De Ching (2010)
• William Howitt , in The History of the Supernatural (1863), p. 321
• James Joyce , in Finnegans Wake (1939)
• 1982 interview in Conversations with Ursula Le Guin
• 2002 interview in Conversations with Ursula Le Guin
• Lin Yutang , The Wisdom of China and India (New York: Random House, 1942), "Laotse, the Book of Tao ( The Tao Teh Ching )", Introduction, p. 579
• Lin Yutang , From Pagan to Christian (Cleveland and New York: World Publishing, 1959), Ch. 4: "The Peak of Mount Tao", pp. 107–108
• Henry Miller , in My Bike & Other Friends (1977), p. 12
• Bertrand Russell , in The Problem of China (1922), Ch. XI - Chinese and Western Civilization Contrasted
• Eckhart Tolle , A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose (2005)
• Yuhui Liang, in Tao Te Ching: The English Version That Makes Good Sense (2018), p. 121

See also [ edit ]

• Ageless Wisdom teachings
• Benjamin Hoff
• Tao Te Ching

References [ edit ]

• ↑ Jean Howarth; Mike Walton (1995). Moments of Reflection . Heinemann Educational Publishers.  
• ↑ Fayek S. Hourani, Daily Bread for Your Mind and Soul: A Handbook of Transcultural Proverbs and Sayings .  

External links [ edit ]

• 15 Tao Te Ching English translations @GeekFarm.org
• An in-deep introduction to Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching , providing answers to the difficult and important questions about the Tao Te Ching by Yuhui Liang.
• Illustrated Translations in English by multiple authors: "TaoTeChingMe.com - translations and interpretations
• Tao Te King as translated by Ch'u Ta-Kao (1904)
• Interpretation by Stephen Mitchell: On-line Tao Te Ching .
• Translation by j.h. mcdonald : Religions and Scriptures: Tao Te Ching .
• An online translation by Charles Muller : Professor Muller's site: Daode jing .
• Translation by Chad Hansen: On-line Tao Te Ching : both English and modern Chinese . Also Zhuangzi .
• An Informal online interpolation by Ron Hogan is available in several formats at Beatrice.com: Tao Te Ching . An iPod formatted version of this translation is available at SwiftlyTilting.com: The Tao Te Ching for your iPod
• Translation by Sonja Elen Kisa : On-line Tao Te Ching (selected poems) going by the name The Flow and the Power of Good
• Translation from the City University of Hong Kong: On-line Tao Te Ching . Classical and Vernacular Chinese, and English.
• 老子 Lǎozĭ 道德經 Dàodéjīng - 拼音 Pīnyīn+王弼 WángBì+馬王堆 Mǎwángduī+郭店 Guōdiàn+大一生水 Tàiyī Shēngshǔi
• Interpolation by Peter Merel: On-line Tao Te Ching .
• Commentary by Swami Nirmalananda Giri: Commentary on the Tao Te Ching .
• Wayne L. Wang The Dynamic Tao and Its Manifestations : Tao and modern scientific thoughts
• Tao De Ching (GNL's Not Lao)
• Sanderson Beck's Interpretation
• Translations and commentary by Nina Correa
• A "plain English" online interpolation of Chapters 1–37 ("Tao") by the Universal Dialectic Institute: Tao: The Way of Nature
• Free mp3 downloads of Tao Te Ching narrated by Michael Scott of ThoughtAudio.com .
• Multiple English translations of Lao Tzu's the Tao Te Ching - Compare translations side-by-side

Chinese versions [ edit ]

• Comparison Chart Chinese characters with PinYin spellings of the Wang Bi, HeShang Gong, Mawangdui A and B, Guodian texts.
• Bamboo slips of the Guodian text Photographs of the Guodian Bamboo Slips with modern equivalents of the Chinese characters, PinYin and Wade Giles spellings, and English definitions.

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• Founders of religions
• People from China
• Philosophers from China

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Journey Begins Quotes

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Every journey begins with a single step.

Your journey begins with a choice to get up, step out, and live fully

The longest journey begins with a single step, not with a turn of the ignition key.

The only impossible journey is the one you never begin.

Realizing your goal, resolution, or transformation is a journey. Change, like any meaningful endeavor, proceeds sequentially through steps. The journey begins with the contemplation stage of specifying realistic goals, getting ready, or getting psyched. The planning stage is all about prepping. How exactly will I do this thing? At some point you will jump from preparing and planning to perspiring, the work of implementing the new, desired behavior. Getting there is wonderful, but we need to keep you there, which entails persevering through slips and, finally, persisting over time.

I'm the type of person that likes to dream big, and I've often found that every great journey begins with a dream.

According to the ancient Chinese proverb, A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a cash advance.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Watch your step.

Sometimes journeys begin long before their first step is taken

The Day We Let Our Convictions Define Our Life Rather Than Our Insecurities, Our True Journey Begins.

The longest journey begins with a single step.

The journey begins, though, with understanding what it means to be a christian. To say you believe in Jesus apart from conversion in your life completely misses the essence of what it means to follow him. Do not be deceived.

The longest journey begins with a single step, not with the turn of an ignition key. That’s the best thing about walking, the journey itself. It doesn’t much matter whether you get where you’re going or not. You’ll get there anyway. Every good hike brings you eventually back home. Right where you started.

Since the moment of self-consciousness comes to a permanent end - and a new journey begins- is such a decisive stroke or milestone in the contemplative life, I can only speculate why so little has been said of this breakthrough; in fact , I may never get over the silence on the part of writers who say nothing about this second movement.

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“A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins With a Single Step” - Meaning and History

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the sheer distance between you and your goals? If so, the saying "a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" can help you realize that you can start where you are with what you have.

This ancient Chinese proverb is profound in its simple explanation of how we can achieve great things. Let's take a deeper dive into this quote's meaning, history, and more.

“A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins With a Single Step” – The Meaning

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” is a Chinese proverb that originates from the Tao te Ching . The meaning of this saying is that even the most difficult and longest ventures have a specific starting point. Similarly, it implies that daunting tasks can typically be begun by doing something very simple.

“We all carry the seeds of greatness within us, but we need an image as a point of focus in order that they may sprout.” – Epictetus

This is a very useful proverb to use in your own life when you’re faced with a challenge or working towards a goal that feels impossible. The reality is that all great accomplishments and victories are comprised of many smaller, more simple steps.

It’s impressive how profound the messages are in this short maxim. From these eleven words, we can extract the following:

• There is a starting point for even the longest and most difficult tasks
• Overwhelming tasks can be started by doing something simple
• Larger goals and challenges can be broken down into small steps
• If we want to achieve something, we can start today
• Procrastination only delays the process of taking small steps toward great things
• We can decide to begin doing something great today

For example, let’s say that you wanted to own the most successful landscaping business in your city. This might seem like a lofty goal if you’ve never so much as mowed a lawn. However, you can create a plan for yourself that is made up of many small steps and milestones. With hard work, diligence, and focus, you’ll find that you make steady progress toward your goal over time.

This expression doesn’t just apply to tangible, concrete goals, though. You can also use it when working on your own personal growth.

“Assemble your life… action by action. And be satisfied if each one achieves its goal… No one can keep that from happening…Action by action.” — Marcus Aurelius

Let’s say, for instance, that you’ve noticed that you constantly overthink things to the extent that it’s holding you back. When something is a deeply entrenched habit, you aren’t going to be able to break it overnight.

However, you might start by working on building self-awareness, so you become more conscious of your overthinking habit. From there, you might use specific techniques to escape overthinking, make decisions more quickly, and start taking action. As time goes on, you’ll find that you’ve traveled very far from your initial starting point of overthinking every little thing.

The History of the Quote

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” is found in Chapter 64 of the Tao te Ching , which is one of the fundamental texts for both religious and philosophical Taoism along with the Zhuangzi .

The author of this ancient text is regarded traditionally as Laozi. However, there has been much debate throughout history about the identity of the person or people that wrote and compiled this text. The Tao te Ching is sometimes referred to as the Laozi , particularly in Chinese sources, as ancient Chinese books were often referenced by the name of the author.

Laozi is considered to be the founder of both religious and philosophical Taoism and is a central figure in Chinese culture. Many Chinese religious movements have been profoundly influenced by the work of Laozi.

The traditional accounts of Laozi’s life state that he was born in the 6th century BC in the state of Chu. He worked for the Zhou court at Wangcheng as the royal archivist and even, on one occasion, met and impressed Confucius. It is said that he wrote the Tao te Ching before going off into the western wilderness.

In Chinese folk religions, Laozi is regarded as a god or a saint. During the Tang dynasty, he was worshipped as an imperial ancestor. There is much that is unknown about Laozi despite the fact that he is tremendously historically important.

Many scholars have questioned whether there ever was a historical Laozi at all. Whether or not the man himself ever really lived, there is no denying the tremendous influence that the Tao te Ching has had since it was written more than two thousand years ago.

Though we may never know the precise biography of Laozi or the author(s) of the Tao te Ching , there's no question about the impact of the text and Taoism as a whole on Chinese culture and the world at large.

Similar to Stoicism in some ways, Taoism is a philosophy that helps people understand how they can exist in harmony with the universe. The Tao (sometimes spelled "Dao") is a difficult-to-define concept that is sometimes understood to mean "the way of the universe."

Another primary idea in Taoism is the idea that there are balancing forces in the universe, which are known as yin and yang. These matching pairs (such as action and inaction, light and dark, and hot and cold) work in tandem to create a universal whole. These concepts, in part, illustrate the fact that nothing exists in a vacuum and everything is connected.

Taoism existed alongside Buddhism and Confucianism for many centuries until a number of major religions were banned in 1949.

Different Translations

Laozi’s Tao Te Ching is the most translated book in the entire world after the Bible and the Bhagavad Gita. There have been more than one hundred different translations into English alone, not to mention dozens of translations into French, German, Dutch, Italian, Latin, and more.

Written in Classical Chinese, the Tao te Ching is a notably difficult text to comprehend and translate. The notable twentieth-century scholar on modern Chinese religions, Holmes Welch, noted that the written Classical Chinese lacked the following:

• Active or passive
• Singular or plural

There are also many grammatical particles missing in the text, which typically make it possible for comprehension and translation to be more precise. On top of that, many of the passages are deliberately ambiguous and vague.

To make things more complicated, there also aren’t any punctuation marks in Classical Chinese. As you might imagine, this makes it hard to determine with certainty the start and end of any given sentence.

Given all of these considerations, it’s worth looking at some of the different translations of this particular saying within its context in Chapter 64 of the Tao te Ching :

The giant pine tree grows from a tiny sprout. The journey of a thousand miles starts from beneath your feet.  – Translated by Stephen Mitchell A tree you can barely get your arms around grows from a tiny shoot A nine-story tower begins as a heap of earth A thousand mile journey begins under your feet. – Translated by Michael LaFargue A tree as big as a man’s embrace springs from a tiny sprout. A tower nine stories high begins with a heap of earth. A journey of a thousand leagues starts where your feet stand. – Translated by Wu A tree broader than a man's embrace grows from a tiny seedling. The tallest tower starts from a clod of earth. The longest journey begins with the first step. – Translated by Han Hiong Tan By closing the door, the entry is not possible, A big tree was in its beginning a tiny offshoot, Thus a great expedition starts with a little step.  – Translated by Sarbatoare A tree that fills the arms' embrace is born from a downy shoot; A terrace nine layers high starts from a basketful of earth; An ascent of a hundred strides begins beneath one's foot. – Translated by Victor H. Mair A tower of nine levels Starts from the dirt heap A journey of a thousand miles Begins beneath the feet – Translated by Derek Linn A massive tree grows from a little sprout.  A nine-story building rises from a clod of earth. A thousand fathoms begin with a single step. – Translated by Edward Brennan and Tao Huang A tree that can fill the span of a man’s arms Grows from a downy tip; A terrace nine storey’s high Rises from hodfuls of earth; A journey of a thousand miles Starts from beneath one’s feet. – Translated by D.C. Lau A tree as a big as a man’s embrace grows from a tiny shoot. A tower of nine storeys begins with a heap of earth. The journey of a thousand li starts from where one stands. – Translated by Wing-tsit Chan A tree so big that it takes both arms to surround starts out as the tiniest shoot; A nine-story terrace rises up from a basket of dirt. A high place one hundred, one thousand feet high begins from under your feet. – Translated by Robert Henricks A tree with a full span’s girth begins from a tiny sprout; A nine-storied terrace begins with a clod of earth. A journey of a thousand li begins at one’s feet. – Translated by Yutang Lin The most massive tree grows from a sprout; The highest building rises from a pile of earth; A journey of a thousand miles begins with a step.

– Translated by Thomas Cleary

As you can see, some of these passages use the word li in describing the length of the journey. The li is a traditional Chinese unit of distance and is also known as the Chinese mile. Precisely how far a li is has varied quite a bit over time. Generally, though, it used to be about one-third of an English mile and is now standardized as a half-kilometer.

Stoicism and the Tao te Ching

There are a number of notable similarities between the Tao te Ching and the philosophy of Stoicism . These include the importance of virtue, the idea that fear is created in the mind and not by external events, and the reality that adversity helps you to grow .

“First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.” – Epictetus

Let's dig into some of the major overlaps between these two schools of thought.

Understanding What’s In One’s Control

In the Tao te Ching , the author expresses that the wise person is able to look reality squarely in the eye without trying to exert control over it.

The Master sees things as they are, without trying to control them. She lets them go their own way, and resides at the center of the circle. – Laozi

Stoicism similarly posits that we must understand and accept the things that are outside of our control. Beyond that, we can even strive to embrace the way that things happen, even if it seems like the universe has turned against us. Through amor fati , we can see the bigger picture and recognize that all things that happen are, if not good, at least necessary.

Observe Yourself

When paging through the Tao te Ching , you'll likely notice the similarity that both Taoism and Stoicism ask you to watch yourself carefully.

“Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.”  – Laozi

Both of these schools of thought ask us to focus on our own actions rather than attaching ourselves to specific outcomes. They ask us to overcome ourselves and conquer ourselves.

Doing What Is Best For the Hive

Both Stoicism and Taoism emphasize the importance of the collective good. At the same time, they approach achieving what is best for humanity through the improvement of each individual.

It's easy to look at the world and see that things could be better. It's easy to run around blaming just about everyone for the state of things. The truth is, though, that you can't change other people by telling them how they should be. All you can do is work to improve yourself, and perhaps then you'll find that other people are changing by the nature of your example.

Relationship With Nature

Both Stoicism and Taoism propose that being a virtuous person means acting in accordance with nature.

“Water gives life to the ten thousand things and does not strive. It flows in places men reject and so is like the Tao. In dwelling, be close to the land. In meditation, go deep in the heart. In dealing with others, be gentle and kind. In speech, be true. In ruling, be just. In business, be competent. In action, watch the timing. No fight: No blame.” – Laozi

Even though Taoism and Stoicism both advocate for a return to nature of sorts, this doesn't mean that they were calling for people to run off into the woods to live as hermits. They both share the idea that it's possible for living in accordance with nature to coexist with life in society.

Letting Go of What Others Think of You

If we're not careful, it's easy to let what other people think of us control who we are and what we do. Instead of being directed by the opinions of others, we can turn inward and try to access our inner resources and personal purposes.

“When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everyone will respect you.”

Both Taoism and Stoicism point toward the necessity of not being driven by a desire for reputation, fame, or approval. In the above quote from the Tao te Ching , Laozi reminds us of the odd truth that the way actually to gain people's respect is to be content as yourself without the need for the approval of others.

“Your days are numbered. Use them to throw open the windows of your soul to the sun. If you do not, the sun will soon set, and you with it.” – Marcus Aurelius

Powerful Quotes From the Tao Te Ching

Despite the fact that the Tao te Ching was written thousands of years ago, you'll find that the words of this text are surprisingly relevant to your own life. The timeless wisdom found in this book is something that you can return to over and over again in different seasons of your life.

For this reason, we included the Tao te Ching on our list of 21 books that will change the way you think . If you're ready to revolutionize your life with new ideas and knowledge, this list is a great jumping-off point.

“A man with outward courage dares to die; a man with inner courage dares to live.” – Laozi “Simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures. Simple in actions and thoughts, you return to the source of being. Patient with both friends and enemies, you accord with the way things are. Compassionate toward yourself, you reconcile all beings in the world.” – Laozi “If you try to change it, you will ruin it. Try to hold it, and you will lose it.” – Laozi “To understand the limitation of things, desire them.” – Laozi “Those who know do not speak. Those who speak do not know.” – Laozi “The truth is not always beautiful, nor beautiful words the truth.” – Laozi “If you understand others you are smart. If you understand yourself you are illuminated. If you overcome others you are powerful. If you overcome yourself you have strength. If you know how to be satisfied you are rich. If you can act with vigor, you have a will. If you don't lose your objectives you can be long-lasting. If you die without loss, you are eternal.” “The flame that burns Twice as bright burns half as long.” – Laozi “A leader is best When people barely know he exists Of a good leader, who talks little, When his work is done, his aim fulfilled, They will say, “We did this ourselves.” – Laozi “The wise man is one who, knows, what he does not know.” – Laozi “If you realize that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to. If you are not afraid of dying, there is nothing you cannot achieve.” – Laozi “The further one goes, the less one knows.” – Laozi “When there is no desire, all things are at peace.” – Laozi “Close your mouth, block off your senses, blunt your sharpness, untie your knots, soften your glare, settle your dust. This is the primal identity.” – Laozi “When people see some things as beautiful, other things become ugly. When people see some things as good, other things become bad.” – Laozi “Trying to understand is like straining through muddy water. Have the patience to wait! Be still and allow the mud to settle.” – Laozi “A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent upon arriving. A good artist lets his intuition lead him wherever it wants. A good scientist has freed himself of concepts and keeps his mind open to what is.” – Laozi “What is a good man but a bad man's teacher? What is a bad man but a good man's job? If you don't understand this, you will get lost, however intelligent you are. It is the great secret.”  – Laozi “Success is as dangerous as failure. Hope is as hollow as fear.” – Laozi “True words aren't eloquent; eloquent words aren't true. Wise men don't need to prove their point; men who need to prove their point aren't wise.” – Laozi “The Master has no possessions. The more he does for others, the happier he is. The more he gives to others, the wealthier he is.”  – Laozi “My teachings are older than the world. How can you grasp their meaning? If you want to know me, Look inside your heart.”  – Laozi “Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt.”  “He who stands on tiptoe doesn't stand firm. He who rushes ahead doesn't go far. He who tries to shine dims his own light. He who defines himself can't know who he really is. He who has power over others can't empower himself. He who clings to his work will create nothing that endures. If you want to accord with the Tao, just do your job, then let go.” – Laozi “To bear and not to own; to act and not lay claim; to do the work and let it go: for just letting it go is what makes it stay.” – Laozi “Not-knowing is true knowledge. Presuming to know is a disease. First realize that you are sick; then you can move toward health.” – Laozi “A great nation is like a great man: When he makes a mistake, he realizes it. Having realized it, he admits it. Having admitted it, he corrects it. He considers those who point out his faults as his most benevolent teachers. He thinks of his enemy as the shadow that he himself casts.” – Laozi “Failure is an opportunity. If you blame someone else, there is no end to the blame. Therefore the Master fulfills her own obligations and corrects her own mistakes. She does what she needs to do and demands nothing of others.” – Laozi “If good happens, good; if bad happens, good. ” – Laozi “The heart that gives, gathers.” – Laozi “The road you can talk about is not the road you can walk on.” – Laozi “True perfection seems imperfect, yet it is perfectly itself. True fullness seems empty, yet it is fully present. True straightness seems crooked. True wisdom seems foolish. True art seems artless.” – Laozi “Nothing in the world is as soft and yielding as water. Yet for dissolving the hard and inflexible, nothing can surpass it. – Laozi The soft overcomes the hard; the gentle overcomes the rigid. Everyone knows that is true, but few can put it into practice.” – Laozi

Quotes With a Similar Message

While "a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" is a succinct and powerful way to describe the fact that even large undertakings start with small tasks, many other thinkers throughout history have discussed the same phenomenon.

“Now is the time to get serious about living your ideals... How long can you afford to put off who you really want to be? Your nobler self cannot wait any longer.” – Epictetus

Let's look at a few other quotes from people about starting where you are and working toward your goals.

“It’s not that we have little time, but more that we waste a good deal of it.” – Seneca the Younger “Putting things off is the biggest waste of life: it snatches away each day as it comes, and denies us the present by promising the future. The greatest obstacle to living is expectancy, which hangs upon tomorrow and loses today. You are arranging what lies in Fortune’s control, and abandoning what lies in yours. What are you looking at? To what goal are you straining? The whole future lies in uncertainty: live immediately. ” – Seneca the Younger “Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.” – Vincent Van Gogh “Don't wait. The time will never be just right.” – Napoleon Hill “It is better to take many small steps in the right direction than to make a great leap forward only to stumble backward.” – Old Chinese Proverb “In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.” – Theodore Roosevelt “Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still.” – Chinese Proverb “You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” – Martin Luther King, Jr. “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant.” – Robert Louis Stevenson “The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” – Chinese Proverb “The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex, overwhelming tasks into small, manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one.” – Mark Twain “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” – Robert Collier “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” – Walt Disney "All big things come from small beginnings.The seed of every habit is a single, tiny decision. But as that decision is repeated, a habit sprouts and grows stronger. Roots entrench themselves and branches grow. The task of breaking a bad habit is like uprooting a powerful oak within us. And the task of building a good habit is like cultivating a delicate flower one day at a time.” – James Clear "Do what you can, with what you've got, where you are." – Squire Bill Widener

Final Thoughts on 'A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins With a Single Step'

This quote from the Tao te Ching is something that you can return to over and over again.

If you are struggling to find the motivation to work toward a goal, you can remind yourself that even the longest journeys consist of small steps and begin where a person is standing.

If you feel like the obstacles in front of you are too much for you to overcome, you can find some solace in the reality that all giant projects can be broken down into smaller, manageable tasks.

You can apply this proverb to your professional life and to your personal life. It is just as useful when you want to write a novel as it is when you want to quit drinking. You'll find it just as powerful when you want to climb a literal mountain as when you want to actively work to overcome anxiety and depression .

It's important to remember that, in life, good things take time. Becoming the person you want to be isn't going to happen every night. Work on making progress every day , and you'll be surprised where you find yourself in just a few months' time.

Are you searching for more insight and inspiration to help you live a better life? Make sure you check out our Stoic Quotes blog.

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Best quotes every journey begins with a single step

Home » Quotes » Best quotes every journey begins with a single step

Embarking on a new journey can be both exciting and intimidating. Whether it’s starting a new career, pursuing a passion, or making a life-changing decision, taking that first step is crucial. It is during this initial leap of faith that we often need a little encouragement and inspiration to keep us going. That’s where quotes come in. Quotes have the power to motivate us, remind us of our potential, and give us the confidence to begin our journey. In this article, we have gathered a collection of quotes that emphasize the importance of taking that first step to embark on a new adventure.

Every successful person started somewhere, and they all had to take that first step towards their goals. These quotes serve as a reminder that every journey, no matter how big or small, begins with a single step. So, let these words of wisdom inspire you to take that leap of faith and start your own incredible journey. Remember, the first step is often the hardest, but it is also the most important.

Without further ado, let’s dive into the world of quotes that remind us that every journey begins with a single step.

Read these quotes: Every Journey Begins with a Single Step

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” – Lao Tzu

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” – Mark Twain

“The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” – Steve Jobs

“Your time is limited, don’t waste it living someone else’s life.” – Steve Jobs

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” – Theodore Roosevelt

“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success.” – Albert Schweitzer

“Don’t watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going.” – Sam Levenson

“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” – Wayne Gretzky

“The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” – Peter Drucker

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill

“The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams.” – Oprah Winfrey

“The only impossible journey is the one you never begin.” – Tony Robbins

“You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” – Zig Ziglar

“The starting point of all achievement is desire.” – Napoleon Hill

“Don’t be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart.” – Roy T. Bennett

“Dream big and dare to fail.” – Norman Vaughan

“The journey to a thousand miles begins with one step in the right direction.” – Shannon L. Alder

These quotes are just a small sample of the countless inspirational words that remind us that every journey begins with a single step. So, whenever you find yourself hesitating or doubting, remember these powerful quotes and take that first step. Your journey awaits!

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77 Beautiful Journey Quotes & Captions To Inspire An Inner Awakening

Searching for some words to accompany your own journey? I’ve compiled the best list out there of the most beautiful journey quotes to inspire and uplift you…

Maybe the most famous quote about journeys that millions across the globe know is from Lao Tzu.  The ancient Chinese philosopher once said, “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” And since then, adventurers, journeyers and wanderers have passed on their own journey inspiration. 

Whether your journey is a metaphorical or literal one, you will love my list of the best journey quotes that are guaranteed to lift you up and propel you forward. 

These are the 77 best journey quotes.

The Best Journey Quotes 

You may recognize a number of these quotes about journeys, as they come from the minds of some of the greatest individuals throughout history. These writers, leaders, musicians and adventurers understand the power of a life changing journey. 

1) “If you can’t fly, then run, if you can’t walk run, then walk, if you can’t walk, then crawl, but by all means keep moving.” – Martin Luther King Jr. 

2) “the road of life twists and turns and no two directions are ever the same. yet our lessons come from the journey, not the destination.” –  don williams, jr., 3) “the best part of life is to decide to make the journey through life like a best selling book. tell a fantastic story when you are ready to tell others how you did it. make sure life the best story ever written through a journey filled with overcoming obstacles, taking risks, and continuing to develop.” – catherine pulsifer, 4) “we are travelers on a cosmic journey, stardust, swirling and dancing in the eddies and whirlpools of infinity. life is eternal. we have stopped for a moment to encounter each other, to meet, to love, to share. this is a precious moment. it is a little parenthesis in eternity.” – paulo coelho.

5) “If ever there was a metaphor to illustrate the importance of the journey over the destination, it is life itself. For everyone who departs from birth is destined for death, so the journey IS life. Savor it!” – Michele Jennae

6) “life is a journey, and if you fall in love with the journey, you will be in love forever.” – peter hagerty, 7) “the secret of getting ahead is getting started. the secret of getting started is breaking your complex, overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one.” – mark twain, 8) “it is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” – ernest hemingway.

9) “To finish the moment, to find the journey’s end in every step of the road, to live the greatest number of good hours, is wisdom.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

10) “our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. but no matter, the road is life.”  ― jack kerouac, 11) “in order to complete our amazing life journey successfully, it is vital that we turn each and every dark tear into a pearl of wisdom, and find the blessing in every curse.” – anthon st. maarten, 12) “this thing we call life is not a destination with an end but a path down which we continue to journey as long as we can breath. life is to be lived not squandered or to give away waiting for the end to close upon us.” – byron pulsifer.

13) “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant.” – Robert Louis Stevenson

14) “life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “wow what a ride”” – hunter s. thompson, 15) “sooner or later we must realize there is no station, no one place to arrive at once and for all. the true joy of life is the trip.” — robert j. hastings.

Short Journey Quotes 

Quotes don’t have to be lengthy to capture the spirit of what they are trying to convey. These short journey quotes say so much with so little words. 

16) “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” – Lao Tzu

17) “learn to trust the journey, even when you do not understand it.” – lolly daskal, 18) “a journey is time suspended.” –  louis l’amour, 19) “take voyages. attempt them. there’s nothing else.” ― tennessee williams.

20) “I’m an idealist. I don’t know where I’m going, but I’m on my way.”  — Carl Sandburg

21) “stop worrying about the potholes in the road and celebrate the journey.” – fitzhugh mullan, 22) “life’s a journey, not a race.” – unknown, 23) “life is a journey. when we stop, things don’t go right.” – pope francis.

24) “It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters in the end.” ― Ursula K. Le Guin

25) “you must remain focused on your journey to greatness.” – les brown, 26) “i tramp a perpetual journey.” ― walt whitman, 27) “the real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” – marcel proust.

28) “It’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” – Abraham Lincoln 

29) “life is about waking up. it is a journey of discovery and you’ve already bought the ticket and are sitting on the train.” – michael sheridan,, 30) “the only impossible journey is the one you never begin.” – tony robbins, 31) “without music, life is a journey through a desert.” – pat conroy.

32) “What you learn in tough times can be used in many ways to bless your personal life journey.” – Scott Gordon

33) “accomplishments will prove to be a journey, not a destination.” – dwight d. eisenhower.

Inspiring Journey Quotes  

Searching for the courage to take the first steps on your own journey? These inspiring journey quotes will light a fire under you, guaranteed to give you the courage you seek.

34) “I discovered that a fresh start is a process. A fresh start is a journey – a journey that requires a plan.” – Vivian Jokotade

35) “if you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten.” – unknown, 36) “you don’t have to understand my journey. you just need to respect it.” – izey victoria odiase, 37) “when setting out on a journey do not seek advice from someone who never left home.” – rumi, 38) “to get through the hardest journey we need take only one step at a time, but we must keep on stepping.” – chinese proverb, 39) “you have learned a lot, but there are still lots of learning for you as you journey through life. never stop learning.” – kate summers, 40) “when you’re on a journey and you come to a wall, always throw your pack over first, because then you will be sure to follow.” – yongey mingyur rinpoche, 41) “ big things have small beginnings.” – prometheus.

42) “Life is a journey that have a lot different paths, but any path you choose use it as your destiny.” ― Ryan Leonard

43) “this is your journey, your body, your mind, and your spirit. dig deep, own it, and start doing things for you and by you.” – unknown author, 44) “as you journey down the path, don’t forget to be present moment-by-moment and absorb the beauty and richness of simply being alive.” – cary david richards, 45) “life is a journey of either fate or destiny. fate is the result of giving in to one’s wounds and heartaches. your destiny unfolds when you rise above the challenges of your life and use them as divine opportunities to move forward to unlock your higher potential.” – caroline myss.

46) “Temporary setbacks create opportunities for fresh commitment and renewal. There are seasons of sunshine as well as rain.” – T. D. Jakes,

47) “i believe that life is a journey, often difficult and sometimes incredibly cruel, but we are well equipped for it if only we tap into our talents and gifts and allow them to blossom.” – les brown, 48) “to find your confidence, get out of your comfort zone, overcome your fears, and begin the journey to discover and accomplish what you want to do with your life.” – doretha dingler.

Journey Instagram Quotes & Captions  

Need a fantastic quote about journeys to accompany your own inspiring Instagram upload? These Instagram journey captions and quotes say so much in just the right amount of characters. 

49) “Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter.” – Izaak Walton

50) “always say yes to new adventures.”, 51) “it is better to travel well than to arrive.” –  arthur c. custance, 52) “always take the scenic route.”.

53) “Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.”

54) “don’t listen to what they say, go and see it for yourself.”, 55) “what’s on my bucket list everywhere.”, 56) “on a hard jungle journey, nothing is so important as having a team you can trust.” – tahir shah.

57) “Travel not to find yourself, but to remember where you have been all long.”

58) “don’t spend your money on things. spend it on experiences”, 59) “leap and the net will appear.” – zen proverb, 60) “all journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.” ― martin buber, 61) “life is journey, travel it well.” – unknown.

Funny Journey Quotes 

These funny quotes about journeys are short, punchy and shine a humorous light on some of the many obstacles a journey may come up against. 

62) “Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.” – Confucius

63) “me: “i want to travel more”, the bank account: “”like, to the park”, 64) “i have panicked unnecessarily in all four corners of the globe.” – jon ronson, 65) “good things come to those, who book flights.”.

66) “A journey is like marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it.” –  John Steinbeck

67) “i crossed a time zone and i feel younger already. if i keep traveling west, i can become immortal” – jarod kintz, 68) “sometimes the road less traveled is less traveled for a reason.” – jerry seinfeld.

Celebrity Journey Quotes 

Actors, entrepreneurs, musicians and more are the minds behind these poignant celebrity journey quotes that are sure to inspire and make you smile. 

69) “The key to realizing a dream is to focus not on success but significance, and then even the small steps and little victories along your path will take on greater meaning.” – Oprah Winfrey

70) “sometimes it’s the journey that teaches you a lot about your destination.” – drake, 71) “you can handle just about anything that comes at you out on the road with a believable grin, common sense and whiskey.”– bill murray, 72) “you can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward. so you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. you have to trust in something; your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. this approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.” – steve jobs.

73) “The main thing that you have to remember on this journey is, just be Nice to everyone and always smile.” – Ed Sheeran

74) “you take people, you put them on a journey, you give them peril, you find out who they really are.” – joss whedon, 75) “if all difficulties were known at the outset of a long journey, most of us would never start out at all.” – dan rather, 76. “every day is a new journey for me, and i feel like, in my lifetime, i’ve been blessed to experience such a lot.” – bindi irwin, 77) “not everyone will understand your journey. that’s okay. you’re here to live your life, not to make everyone understand.” – banksy.

Did I miss any great journey quotes?

Is there a journey quote I missed off my list that is one of your personal faves and that you want to share? Reach out to me with the quote, and I’ll see if I can add it to the my list of the best quotes about journeys!

Looking for inspiration for your next travel journey?

The quotes that made my list could really sum up so many journeys travelers take every day across the world. I’m a travel blogger who has traveled across the globe, and as a result my site has a huge variety of inspiring travel content. Accommodation guides, music festival guides, itineraries, city guides and so much more await you. Get started with some of my most popular travel content. 

• 37 California Music Festivals That’ll Keep You Dancing All Year Long
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• 30 Music Festivals in Europe to Experience Before You Die
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• The Ultimate 2 Days in Barcelona Itinerary & Travel Guide
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• 51 Fun & Inspirational Sunset Quotes To Inspire Your Next Adventure

What’s your favorite journey quote?

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The Top 10 Quotes to Jumpstart the Journey to Your Dreams

Energy is always in motion -- and the good news is that you get to decide the direction. So, which will it be? Do you let yourself sink slowly into the quicksands of uncertainty, doubt and fear , only to guarantee the self-fulfilling prophecy of your own failure? Or do you make the leap out of the fog and onto your upward path, eager to embrace the winding road and learn that at every step, your heart and head will be there to point you in the direction of your dreams? 

It’s time you chose boldness. It’s time you chose to begin. And to help you, here are our Top 10 Quotes to Jumpstart the Journey to Your Dreams.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. - Lao Tzu

Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius and power and magic in it. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

If you can’t fly, then run, if you can’t walk run, then walk, if you can’t walk, then crawl, but by all means keep moving. - Martin Luther King Jr. ( read more quotes )

To dare is to lose one’s footing momentarily. To not dare is to lose oneself. - Søren Kierkegaard

The only impossible journey is the one you never begin. - Tony Robbins

Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe. - Abraham Lincoln ( more Abraham Lincoln quotes)

The key to realizing a dream is to focus not on success but significance, and then even the small steps and little victories along your path will take on greater meaning. - Oprah Winfrey ( read more quotes )

Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it. - Henry David Thoreau

 We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit. - Aristotle

Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant. - Robert Louis Stevenson

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As any loving daughter would, Jenn stood alongside her mother to help her with her new transition. Nana wasn't sure how Papa would receive her "new look." In order to make it fun, the two women plotted a "wig reveal" and the results couldn't be more surprising.

"My parents have been married for 65 years. She was recently diagnosed with lung cancer. He tried to be encouraging." - Jenn, @jennjensc

Jenn's TikTok video opens on her father, Papa. She whispers that her mom is trying on wigs and she is ready to show him what she has. Papa seems hopeful. "She's trying on wigs? Oh that's good," he says. But when the camera pans to Nana and Papa sees her for the first time, it's safe to say the results were not what he was expecting. And his reaction can't hide his shock.

Watch Jenn's Video:

@jennjensc My parents have been married 63 years. My mom was recently diagnosed with lung cancer. Shes doing chemo and radiation and smiling all she can ! #laughter   #laughing   #wig   #chemo   #chemotherapy   #temufinds   #marriage #myparents   #willienelson   #nohunny   ♬ Always On My Mind - Willie Nelson

He Called Her "Willie Nelson" — Here's How She Got Him Back

In the hilarious and heartwarming video, Nana's wig is undeniably silly. The long black hair is down to her waist and styled in two braids. While Papa tries to be supportive, like any good husband would, he just can't help himself. Nana is the first one to crack a smile at how ridiculous she looks. Then Papa comes back with the most hilarious observation. "You look like Willie Nelson," he remarks. And it's funny because it's true!

The comment section blew up with all kinds of supportive comments. "I was prepared to cry but didn’t expect it to be from laughing 😂 this is gold," one user wrote. Jenn replied to the comment agreeing wholeheartedly, "We haven't stopped laughing," she wrote back.

Jenn's video of her parents went viral overnight. The video racked up over 5.3M views and more than 35,000 comments! Nana and Papa were such hit that their newfound fans were requesting follow up videos. And they didn't disappoint!

Here's the hilarious and heartwarming way this couple "celebrated" Nana reaching the halfway mark of her chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

@jennjensc Today nan finshed the halfway mark of chemo and radiation. She is feeling great. She so enjoys akl tge comments prayers and good vibes ! #nana   #papa   #willie   #journey   #chemo   #radation   #lungcancer   #faith   #laughter #love   ♬ On the Road Again - Willie Nelson

Nana's Resilience Reminds Us To Take Life In Stride, One Day At A Time

In life, there are no guarantees, but Nana's journey is a powerful reminder of the importance of resilience, humor, and the support of loved ones.

Despite facing the daunting reality of chemotherapy and the changes it brings, she found a way to turn an overwhelming moment into something lighthearted, sharing joy and laughter with her family and the world. Her story teaches us that even in the face of adversity, we can choose to embrace life with grace and a sense of humor.

Nana's ability to laugh, even during one of the most challenging times of her life, encourages us all to take things one day at a time and to find reasons to smile, no matter what we face. It's a valuable lesson on resilience and the strength of human spirit.

Husband Opens Small Package From His Wife - What’s Inside Brings Him to Tears

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After her family's breakup, Jennifer Lopez faced devastation but found strength in gratitude and self-reflection. At 40, she embraced a deeper appreciation for life's blessings, especially love. Her relationship with Alex Rodriguez blossomed, fueled by a shared understanding of life's value and the profound connection they shared. What really made Jennifer fall for Alex?

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Motivational And Inspirational Blog

85 Taking The First Step Quotes To Your Journey Of Success

• March 20, 2024
• Inspirational Quotes

Looking for famous quotes about taking the first step towards success? We have rounded up the best collection of taking the first step quotes, sayings, proverbs, and captions, (with images and pictures) to inspire you to be brave and start your journey one step at a time with courage and willpower.

Also See: One Step At A Time Quotes

Life is a series of small steps and efforts taken along the way consistently. And if you add up these tiny baby steps you take forward you reach your goal.

Whether it’s your business, work, fitness , health, or studies, the improvement in any of these areas, is a gradual phenomenon. We need to be committed work on yourself every day making small positive changes regularly.

Usually, people are afraid to take the leap of faith and they fail to move forward towards their dreams. This is failure by default. But the first step comes with faith and self-confidence. Do never forget that the journey of a thousand miles is worth the effort only when we take one step at a time.

Just like a child does not learn to walk all at once, they start with baby steps , they crawl, fall, and then they learn how to walk, and run.

Similarly, the process of achieving your dreams and finding success is a gradual process. Take one step at a time because work that is done in haste may lead us to failure. So try and take the long road and keep on stepping forward.

These motivational quotes are divided into these sections:

Taking The First Step Quotes

Making first step quotes for success.

Never be disappointed with small failures, you will fall, and learn how to get back on your feet again. I hope these quotes inspire you to keep working hard, no matter what your speed is. Moving forward is the key.

If you are encouraged by these taking the first step quotes of a journey then also check our posts on, keep going quotes and trust the process quotes to inspire you to have faith and keep working hard.

• “Every journey needs a first step.”
• “Every adventure requires a first step.”
• “Trust is the first step to love.” – Munshi Premchand
• “The first steps that baby takes are into your heart.”

• “On this path, it is only the first step that counts.” – John Vianney
• “The first step of change is to become aware of your own bullsh.”
• “Does He not see my ways And number all my steps?” – Jobs 31:4
• “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” – Lao Tzu

• “We progress a step farther, in each tick of the clock.” – Ronnie Cornelisz
• “Small is not just a stepping-stone… a great destination itself.” – Jason Fried

• “Courage isn’t about knowing the path, it’s about taking the first step.” – Katie Davis

“The step in a new direction doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be a step.” – Unknown

• “The steps of a man are established by the Lord, And He delights in his way.” – Psalm 37:23

• “He dares to be a fool, and that is the first step in the direction of wisdom.” – James Huneker
• “Order and simplification are the first steps toward the mastery of a subject.” – Thomas Mann

“The man who removes the mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” – Chinese proverb

• “Even the greatest was once a beginner. Don’t be afraid to take that first step.” – Muhammad Ali
• “The first step toward change is awareness. The second step is acceptance.” – Nathaniel Branden
• “The first step is to establish that something is possible. Then probability will occur.” – Unknown
• “A 10,000 mile walk, begins with a single step and continues one step at a time.” – Rickson Gracie
• “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Watch your step.” – Thomas S. Monson
• “Be what you are. This is the first step toward becoming better than you are.” – Julius Charles Hare
• “The discipline of writing something down is the first step toward making it happen.” – Lee Iacocca
• “Faith is taking the first step even when you can’t see the whole staircase.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
• “There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1
• “The first step is always the hardest but once you take your first step, things will get easier from then on.”
• “What is defeat? Nothing but education, nothing but the first step to something better.” – Wendell Phillips
• “Understanding is the first step to acceptance, and only with acceptance can there be recovery.” – J. K. Rowling
• “The first step in our walk of faith is to stop our own works and rest in God’s love, wisdom and power.” – T. B. Joshua
• “Acceptance of what has happened is the first step to overcoming the consequences of any misfortune.” – William James
• “The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are.” – Chauncey Depew
• “I think this is the start of something really big. Sometimes that first step is the hardest one, and we’ve just taken it.” – Steve Jobs

“The important thing is to take that first step. Bravely overcoming one small fear gives you the courage to take on the next.” – Daisku Ikeda

• “Most times, the way isn’t clear, but you want to start anyway. It is in starting… that other steps become clearer.” – Israelmore Ayivor
• “Take one step at a time and don’t settle for anything less. Use the power of your mind to your full advantage to reach success.” – Raymond Isaacs
• “All that matters is that you are pushing yourself and challenging yourself and trying to finish… get out of your comfort zone.” – Anthony Chapman
• “The best feeling in the world is finally knowing you took a step in the right direction. A step towards the future where everything that you never thought was possible, is possible.”
• “Remember, one step leads to the other and therefore never neglect the first step. It will give you the confidence you need to sail through with victory.” – Israelmore Ayivor

Dreaming big is the first step to success. It is important to aim high to accomplish big targets in our lives. We need to be ambitious and passionate about things we want for ourselves.

Though your dreams may seem hard to achieve but your hard work and persistence will take you through all the big goals that you have set up for yourself. Start small and go where your dreams take you.

Also See: Keep Trying Quotes

To enjoy real success, one has to believe in taking the first step towards it. Here we have collected the most inspirational taking the first step quotes to motivate you. You must also read our quotes on take a step back quotes and inspiring one day at a time quotes to inspire you to focus on Today!!

• “One day… or day one. You decide.” – Unknown
• “Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.”
• “No matter how big or how small… just take the first step.”
• “The first step is you have to say that you can.” – Will Smith

• “I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.” – Estée Lauder

“The scariest moment is always just before the start.” – Unknown

• “A smooth sea never makes a skilled sailor.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt

“One step at a time is all it takes to get you there.” – Emily Dickinson                                                 

• “A man who loves himself takes the first step towards real love.” – Osho
• “Every step is a first step if it’s a step in the right direction.” – Terry Pratchett
• “Today make the choice to take a chance and watch how your life will change.”
• “Take the first step. No more, no less, and the next will be revealed.” – Unknown
• “This is one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” – Neil Armstrong
• “Every journey begins with a single step. But you’ll never finish if you never start.”
• “The first step towards knowledge is to know that we are ignorant.” – Richard Cecil
• “Every adventure requires a first step. Trite but true, even here.” – American McGee
• “You’ll never know what you’re capable of until you take that first step and go for it.”
• “The first step of handling anything is gaining the ability to face it.” – L. Ron Hubbard

“Don’t let the entire staircase overwhelm you. Just focus on that first step.” – Unknown

• “The act of taking the first step is what separates the winners from the losers.” – Brian Tracy
• “The first step is the hardest – making a commitment to yourself, for yourself.” – Mary Kay Ash
• “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” – Chinese Proverb
• “A little simplification would be the first step toward rational living, I think.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
• “You will never know what you are capable of… If you never take the first step and try. Do it now.”
• “The very first step towards success in any occupation is to become interested in it.” – William Osler
• “Fear will try to keep you from taking that first step. Don’t give in to fear, do it afraid.” – Joyce Mayer
• “If you believe, then you have already taken the first step towards your achievement.” – Rickson Gracie
• “You don’t have to know everything about the mountain in front of you to take the next step.” – Louie Gigilo
• “The first step in the evolution of ethics is a sense of solidarity with other human beings.” – Albert Schweitzer
• “The indispensable first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: decide what you want.” – Ben Stein

“Take baby steps towards health, fitness, and weight loss, because baby steps are small and easy to achieve.” – Unknown

• “Taking the first step is the difference between actually pursuing your passion and just dreaming about it.” – Jack Canfield
• “If we are to abolish the death penalty, I should like to see the first step taken by our friends the murderers.” – Alphonse Karr
• “The first step is to believe that it’s possible. Once I had a taste of success, you start to believe in it a little more.” – Jarome Iginla
• “Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life. Tip toe if you must, but take the step.”
• “Throughout the centuries there were men who took first steps, down new roads, armed with nothing but their own vision.” – Ayn Rand
• “Each step you take reveals a new horizon. You have taken the first step today. Now, I challenge you to take another.” – Dan Poynter
• “A consciousness of wrongdoing is the first step to salvation…you have to catch yourself doing it before you can correct it.” – Seneca the Younger
• “Have a bias toward action – let’s see something happen now. You can break that big plan into small steps and take the first step right away.” – Indira Gandhi
• “Sometimes you have to realize when a chapter with someone is over. If they didn’t treat you right, then you need to realize how much more you deserve!! You just have to take the first step by moving on.” – Shanae Alette
• “When you pray, you know that you want something, that’s always the first step. to let yourself know that you want something, that you yearn for it. sometimes that’s the hardest thing to do. Because you have to have courage to know what you desire. You have to have courage to acknowledge that you are unhappy without it.” – Philippa Gregory

You May Also Like;

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Moving on Quotes

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Best Quotes About Growth

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If you like these uplifting taking the first step quotes then also check our posts on breathe quotes and you got this quotes to inspire you to believe in yourself and know that you have got everything it takes to be successful and fulfill your dreams.

Here are some take each day one step at a time quotes, small steps quotes, first step quotes, small changes quotes, take one step at a time Bible quotes, one step at a time hip hop quotes and one step at a time quotes to inspire you.

If you have some of your favorite quotes which are not included in the above list, please share them in the comments section below and we will love to add them to the list.

Feel free to share with friends and family on Facebook, Tumblr, Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter, and more to motivate them every morning.

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20 Quotes to Inspire You to Take Small Simple Steps Each Day

In life we can get overwhelmed with everything we want to do in order to get to the future and reach our goals (whilst avoiding the present moment). Or maybe we have faulty thoughts or distortions playing in our mind, saying we are not “good enough” to be the person we would like to be.

One thing I know from my own life and the things I have completed (from being a  professional athlete  to going to university or learning pilates) is that we only ever have this moment and can take one step or moment at a time.

I wonder what life would be like if we enjoyed the journey more and remembered this? When we slow down, take time out to reflect to find out what is important to us. Then we can reconnect with our courage, follow those dreams and remember we can only ever take one step at a time

I hope the following 20 quotes inspire you to take small steps each day, so you can create the life you wish for –

• “You need to be content with small steps. That’s all life is. Small steps that you take every day so when you look back down the road it all adds up and you know you covered some distance.” ~ Katie Kacvinsky
• “Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.” ~ Vincent Van Gogh
• “Each step you take reveals a new horizon. You have taken the first step today. Now, I challenge you to take another.” ~ Dan Poynter
• “It is better to take many small steps in the right direction than to make a great leap forward only to stumble backward.” ~ Old Chinese Proverb
• “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” ~ Robert Collier
• “Habit is habit and not to be flung out of the window by any man, but coaxed downstairs a step at a time.” ~ Mark Twain
• “Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still.” ~ Chinese Proverb
• “It’s the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen.” ~ John Wooden
• “Take small steps every day and one day you will get there.” ~ Unknown
• “Have a bias toward action – let’s see something happen now. You can break that big plan into small steps and take the first step right away.” ~ Indira Ghandi

“I long to accomplish a great and noble task; but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble.” ~ Helen Keller

• “The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” ~ Chinese Proverb
• “It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop” ~ Confucius
• “Do small things with great love.” ~ Mother Theresa
• “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant.” ~ Robert Louis Stevenson
• “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” ~ Lao Tzu
• “Big things have small beginnings.” ~ Promethus
• “The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking you complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one.” ~ Mark Twain
• “One may walk over the highest mountain one step at a time.” ~ John Wanamaker
• “The key to realizing a dream is to focus not on success but on significance – and then even the small steps and little victories along your path with take on greater meaning.” ~ Oprah Winfrey

Reflection –

• Which quote did you like the best?
• Are you inspired to take some small steps now to live your dream life? If so, feel free to share one below.

Are ready to reclaim your courage and be whole-heartedly you? If so, feel free to take the   next step towards freedom and opening your heart and join our  Toolkit .

Thank you. ❤

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