"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a
single step."
How about this translation instead:
"The journey of a thousand miles begins beneath one's
feet."
Although the
first quote is the popular form of this quotation by Lao-tzu, the Chinese philosopher who lived around 600 BC, the second one is a more correct translation
from the original Chinese. Rather than emphasizing the first step, Lau Tzu regarded
action as something that arises naturally from stillness. Another potential phrasing would be: “Even the longest
journey begins where you stand.” [Quotation notes from Michael Moncur, 2004]