the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step
the JUR-nee uv a THOW-zund MYLZ beh-GINZ with a SIN-gul STEP
ðə ˈdʒɜːrni əv ə ˈθaʊzənd maɪlz bɪˈɡɪnz wɪð ə ˈsɪŋɡəl stɛpListen
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Dictionary meaning
the observation, attributed to the Chinese philosopher Laozi in the Tao Te Ching, that even the longest and most demanding undertaking must begin with a single initial action — that the gap between intention and achievement is crossed not by contemplation but by taking the first step; the saying counsels against paralysis in the face of the scale of a challenge, encouraging the focus on what can be done right now rather than being overwhelmed by the magnitude of what lies ahead; for migrants undertaking journeys of enormous physical, emotional, and administrative complexity, the phrase captures both the daunting scale of the project and the practical wisdom of attending to the single present action rather than the entire journey at once
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