ProverbPerseveranceGerman origin

Auch der längste Weg beginnt mit dem ersten Schritt

Meaning: Every great undertaking starts with a single small step.

Literally: Even the longest road begins with the first step

Example: “Du musst nicht heute fertig werden. Auch der längste Weg beginnt mit dem ersten Schritt.” — You don't have to finish today: a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Equivalents in English

Origin: It goes back to Laozi's Tao Te Ching (chapter 64): a journey of a thousand li begins beneath one's feet.

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