About this artwork
An empty road curves out of the foreground and snakes towards a ridge of mountains under a low, cloudy night sky. A few faint stars show through near the top. The road's pale surface and centre markings catch what little light there is, so it reads as a thread you follow into the dark.
The type sits where the road begins. "One Step at a Time" is set in bold silver capitals, followed by a gold rule, the italic line "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." and then Lao Tzu between fine gold dashes. This Lao Tzu quote print is one of the quietest designs in the collection: no storm, no action, just distance and a direction. It suits anyone working through a long project, a degree or a recovery, where progress comes in small, unglamorous steps.
About the Quote
The line comes from chapter 64 of the Tao Te Ching, the classic text of Taoism traditionally credited to Lao Tzu (Laozi), whose life is more legend than record. A closer rendering of the original says that a journey of a thousand li starts beneath one's feet, the li being a traditional Chinese unit of distance. The familiar English version keeps the meaning: large undertakings are finished through small acts begun now. It is a favourite of students, runners and anyone starting over.
How to style it
Works above a desk, in a hallway or in a reading corner, and suits Japandi, minimalist and Scandinavian interiors as well as darker schemes. Pair it with the misty forest-path design for a pair of journey-themed prints. Explore the full Motivational Posters collection.
Choose your format
- Unframed Art Print on 250 gsm archival matte fine-art paper with a soft off-white tone. Ideal if you already have a frame.
- Natural Wood Frame with shatterproof acrylic glazing. Arrives assembled, ready to hang.
- Black Metal Frame, a slim matte-black aluminium frame with shatterproof acrylic glazing. Arrives assembled, ready to hang.
- Aluminium Print, printed directly onto a rigid 3 mm aluminium panel for a sleek, frameless look.
- Wood Print, printed directly onto a 2 cm wood panel for a warm, natural, gallery feel.
Sizes
Seven portrait sizes from 20 × 30 cm (8 × 12 in) to 50 × 70 cm (20 × 28 in). Not sure which one? Read our size guide.
Shipping
Free tracked shipping to most countries. Every print is made to order and produced close to you, in more than 30 countries across Europe, the UK, North America and Australia, which means shorter journeys and fewer surprises at the door. See shipping & returns.
Questions & answers
Who said "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step"?
It is traditionally attributed to Lao Tzu and comes from chapter 64 of the Tao Te Ching. The popular English wording is a loose translation; the original speaks of a thousand li.
Is this design calm or intense?
Calm. Unlike the storm and fire designs in the collection, it relies on a quiet night road and wide space, which makes it a good choice for bedrooms, studies and reading areas.
Is a frame included?
Only if you choose a framed format. The Natural Wood Frame and Black Metal Frame options arrive assembled with acrylic glazing and are ready to hang. The Unframed Art Print arrives without a frame, and the Aluminium and Wood Prints need no frame at all.
Which size should I choose?
As a rule of thumb, choose art about two-thirds the width of the furniture beneath it. 50 × 70 cm makes a statement above a sofa or bed, 30 × 40 cm suits shelves, desks and gallery walls. Our size guide shows every size to scale.
How is my print made and shipped?
Each print is made to order for you, then shipped with tracking from a production partner close to your address. You receive the tracking link by email as soon as your order leaves production.
Specifications
| Format | Unframed Art Print, Natural Wood Frame, Black Metal Frame, Aluminium Print, Wood Print |
| Print Size | 20 × 30 cm / 8 × 12 in, 30 × 40 cm / 12 × 16 in, 30 × 45 cm / 12 × 18 in, 40 × 50 cm / 16 × 20 in, 40 × 60 cm / 16 × 24 in, 45 × 60 cm / 18 × 24 in, 50 × 70 cm / 20 × 28 in |
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