A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

This passage comes from Chapter 64 of the Tao Te Ching, where Laozi was expounding his philosophy of "governing through non-action." Seeing that people often fail when success is near, Laozi proposed the philosophical viewpoint of "being as careful at the end as at the beginning." He used "a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" to vividly illustrate that any great undertaking must begin with the subtle and small, emphasizing the natural law of accumulation from little to much and gradual progression. This embodies the core Taoist thought of "Tao follows nature," namely following the objective laws of development.

Laozi profoundly expounded the philosophical law of quantitative change leading to qualitative change. "A thousand miles" metaphorically represents lofty goals and grand undertakings, while "a single step" refers to practical action in the present moment. This saying reveals three levels of deep meaning: first, any great goal is accumulated from countless small steps; second, the importance of action surpasses empty thought, as even the longest journey must begin with the first step; third, it emphasizes the spirit of perseverance, where every step must be steady and solid. It opposes the restless mentality of aiming too high and seeking quick success, advocating instead a pragmatic style of steady and gradual progress.

According to Records of the Grand Historian, during Laozi's service as the Zhou dynasty archivist, people often consulted him about statecraft and life philosophy. Once, a young feudal lord asked Laozi how to strengthen his state quickly. Instead of answering directly, Laozi took him outside the city and pointed to distant mountains: "Do you see Mount Tai a thousand miles away?" The young man nodded. Laozi asked again: "Can you cross to Mount Tai in one step?" The young man shook his head. Laozi said: "This is the answer. All great undertakings must begin with each step underfoot." He then used this saying to clarify the principle of gradual development.

This saying has had profound and extensive influence on later generations. In politics, reformers throughout history have followed the principle of gradual progress, from Shang Yang's reforms to Wang Anshi's new policies, from Zhang Juzheng's reforms to the Hundred Days' Reform, all embodying this thought. In military affairs, the strategic thought of "subduing the enemy without fighting" in The Art of War aligns with this. In science and technology, from Li Shizhen's Compendium of Materia Medica to Xu Guangqi's Complete Treatise on Agriculture, all were results of long-term accumulation. In modern times, from the Self-Strengthening Movement's "learning from Western techniques" to reform and opening-up's "crossing the river by feeling stones," from the steady advancement of "One Belt One Road" to targeted poverty alleviation policies, all demonstrate the contemporary value of this thought.

In practical application, first establish clear vision and long-term goals while decomposing them into actionable short-term plans. Second, cultivate "craftsman spirit," focusing on every detail and pursuing ultimate perfection. Third, establish feedback mechanisms to timely adjust direction and ensure every step moves toward goals. Fourth, cultivate patience and perseverance to overcome the mentality of seeking quick success. Fifth, be good at summarizing experience and transforming each step's practice into wisdom for the next. Sixth, create supportive environments and find like-minded partners to advance together. Seventh, celebrate small achievements and maintain continuous motivation through positive reinforcement. Eighth, maintain a learning mindset and continuously improve cognition and capability in each step.