Vol. 06 · Misquoted ·Book ·4 of 348
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
They never said that.
What people say
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
What was actually said
"A journey of a thousand li begins beneath one's feet." Lao Tzu — Tao Te Ching §64 by Lao Tzu (c. 4th c. BC)
Why it stuck
Lao Tzu's li is a Chinese mile, and the journey begins "beneath the feet" — not "with a single step."
Know another line by heart?
Play the duel and see how many you can spot. Or browse the whole shelf.