--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A journey of a thousand miles starts with…" description: "\"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" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/969/laozi-147_ifs_a-journey-of-a-thousand-miles-starts-wit_874900.jpg" --- # A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step… ![“A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step and if that step is the right step, it becomes the last step.” quote by Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/969/laozi-147_ifs_a-journey-of-a-thousand-miles-starts-wit_874900.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/969/laozi-147_ifs_a-journey-of-a-thousand-miles-starts-wit_874900.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/969/laozi-147_ifs_a-journey-of-a-thousand-miles-starts-wit_874900.jpg) > “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](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A single correct action can complete a long journey, emphasizing the power of decisive, right choices. **In simple terms:** One right step can finish a long quest. Key Takeaway Choose wisely, act decisively. Themes decision journey clarity Mood determined reflective Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career pivot - major project - personal transformation - long‑term planning Key Concepts Taoism determinism goal achievement Questions to Reflect On - What criteria define the “right” step for you? - How do you verify a decision before acting? A Different Perspective If the step is wrong, the journey may fail; success hinges on judgment. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Journey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/journey/) [Journey of a thousand miles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/journey-of-a-thousand-miles/) ## Related quotes > [The tree which needs two arms to span its girth sprang from the tiniest shoot. Yon tower, nine stories high, rose from a little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-tree-which-needs-two-arms-to-span-its-girth-sprang-from-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/the-journey-of-a-thousand-miles-begins-with-a-single-step/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [Life is a constant change. Each journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-a-constant-change-each-journey-of-a-thousand-miles-starts/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Keep focused on your goal throughout your trip. They say the journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step, try to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/babloo/keep-focused-on-your-goal-throughout-your-trip-they-say-the-journey/) [Babloo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/babloo/) > [A journey of a thousand miles begin with a single step](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/a-journey-of-a-thousand-miles-begin-with-a-single-step/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [According to the ancient Chinese proverb, A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/according-to-the-ancient-chinese-proverb-a-journey-of-a-thousand/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/a-journey-of-a-thousand-miles-must-begin-with-a-single-step/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“But all we need to do is begin. The rest will take care of itself. A journey of a thousand miles starts with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-donnelly/but-all-we-need-to-do-is-begin-the-rest-will-take-care-of-itself-a/) [Jennifer Donnelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-donnelly/) > [“They say a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. I took mine and fell flat on my face. As a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-novogratz/they-say-a-journey-of-a-thousand-miles-begins-with-a-single-step-i/) [Jacqueline Novogratz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-novogratz/) > [Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. A journey of a thousand miles must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/do-the-difficult-things-while-they-are-easy-and-do-the-great-things/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Watch your step.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-journey-of-a-thousand-miles-begins-with-a-single-step-watch-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [A journey of a thousand miles starts in front of your feet. A tower nine stories high is built from a small heap of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/a-journey-of-a-thousand-miles-starts-in-front-of-your-feet-a-tower/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The journey of a thousand miles starts from beneath your feet. NOTE: Other translations exist, such as:Great trees grow from the smallest shoots;a terraced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-journey-of-a-thousand-miles-starts-from-beneath-your-feet-note/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Here is an old Oriental proverb: \*A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.\* It is difficult to anticipate just how a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/here-is-an-old-oriental-proverb-a-journey-of-a-thousand-miles-begins/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [“The journey of a thousand miles requires excellent boots.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mozella-ademiluyi/the-journey-of-a-thousand-miles-requires-excellent-boots/) Mozella Ademiluyi ## More by Laozi > [When you have accomplished your goal simply walk away. This is the path way to Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-you-have-accomplished-your-goal-simply-walk-away-this-is-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [In lightness the root is lost. In haste the ruler is lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/in-lightness-the-root-is-lost-in-haste-the-ruler-is-lost/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [If the sage wants to stand above people, he must speak to them from below. If he wants to lead people, he must follow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/if-the-sage-wants-to-stand-above-people-he-must-speak-to-them-from/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Goodie-goodies are the thieves of virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/goodie-goodies-are-the-thieves-of-virtue/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [He that humbles himself shall be preserved entire. He that bends shall be made straight. He that is empty shall be filled. He that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/he-that-humbles-himself-shall-be-preserved-entire-he-that-bends-shall/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The Way of the Sage is to act but not to compete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-way-of-the-sage-is-to-act-but-not-to-compete/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Do nondoing, strive for nonstriving, savor the flavorless, regard the small as important, make much of little, repay enmity with virtue; plan for difficulty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/do-nondoing-strive-for-nonstriving-savor-the-flavorless-regard-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Without looking through the window, you can see Heaven's Way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/without-looking-through-the-window-you-can-see-heaven-s-way/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Can you dissolve your ego? Can you abandon the idea of self and other? 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That is the virtue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/he-the-sage-is-good-to-those-who-are-good-he-is-also-good-to-those/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [There is a thing inherent and natural which existed before heaven and earth. Motionless and fathomless, It stands alone and never changes; It pervades…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/there-is-a-thing-inherent-and-natural-which-existed-before-heaven-and/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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 do not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/what-is-a-good-man-but-a-bad-man-s-teacher-what-is-a-bad-man-but-a/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) [Explore all 1,140 Laozi quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) ## More Ifs quotes > [Women still, when they have breast cancer, go to work; they still lead their lives. They have to. 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