Lao Tzu is an important culture hero in China. The impact of the quotation arises from the fact that it is applicable to a wide range of different types of situations where something needs to be done. It is by no means restricted to travelling. Not surprisingly, therefore, many languages have proverbs which express this insight, emphasising the 'first step' as the one that counts.
In this translation, we have a neat counterpoint between 'thousand miles' and 'single step'. The rhythmical parallelism is reinforced by the contrast in vowel length and consonant sonority: note especially the long vowels and liquid consonants in 'miles', and the short vowels and plosive consonants in 'step'. The force of this quotation lies in its final word.
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A journey of a thousand miles…. By Oyindamola Johnson July 28, Share this:. Lao Tzu , and probably written between the 4th and 6th century BC. The original text is:.
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.
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.
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