What the caterpillar calls the end, the rest of the world calls a butterfly.
—Laozi (fl.6th Century BCE) Chinese Philosopher, Sage
The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.
—Chinese Proverb
More powerful than the will to win is the courage to begin.
—Unknown
No good ending can be expected in the absence of the right beginning. It is too late.
—I Ching Ancient Chinese Divination Text
I wake expectant, hoping to see a new thing.
—Annie Dillard (b.1945) Essayist, Novelist, Poet, Naturalist, Mystic
When the first baby laughed for the first time, the laugh broke into a thousand pieces and they all went skipping about, and that was the beginning of fairies. And now when every new baby is born its first laugh becomes a fairy. So there ought to be one fairy for every boy or girl.
—J. M. Barrie (1860–1937) Scottish Novelist, Dramatist
All great deeds and all great thoughts have a ridiculous beginning. Great works are often born on a street corner or in a restaurant’s revolving door.
—Albert Camus (1913–60) Algerian-born French Philosopher, Dramatist, Novelist
What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from.
—T. S. Eliot (1888–1965) American-British Poet, Dramatist, Literary Critic
Sometimes when you think you are done, it is just the edge of beginning. Probably that’s why we decide we’re done. It’s getting too scary. We are touching down onto something real. It is beyond the point when you think you are done that often something strong comes out.
—Natalie Goldberg (b.1948) American Buddhist Author
It is a tremendous act of violence to begin anything. I am not able to begin. I simply skip what should be the beginning.
—Rainer Maria Rilke (1875–1926) Austrian Poet
The beginnings and endings of all human undertakings are untidy.
—John Galsworthy (1867–1933) English Novelist, Playwright
There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting.
—Buddhist Teaching
Every beginning is a consequence. Every beginning ends something.
—Unknown
Remember tonight.. for it is the beginning of always.
—Unknown
The only joy in the world is to begin.
—Cesare Pavese (1908–50) Italian Novelist, Poet, Critic, Translator
Beginnings are apt to be shadowy and so it is the beginnings of the great mother life, the sea.
—Rachel Carson (1907–64) American Naturalist, Science Writer
The beginning is the most important part of any work, especially in the case of a young and tender thing; for that is the time at which the character is being formed and the desired impression more readily taken.
—Plato (428 BCE–347 BCE) Greek Philosopher, Mathematician, Educator
Do not despise the bottom rungs in the ascent to greatness.
—Publilius Syrus (fl.85–43 BCE) Syrian-born Roman Latin Writer
Fear not that thy life shall come to an end, but rather fear that it shall never have a beginning.
—John Henry Newman (1801–90) British Theologian, Poet
When the ancients said a work well begun was half done, they meant to impress the importance of always endeavoring to make a good beginning.
—Polybius (c.200–c.118 BCE) Greek Historian
When there is a start to be made, don’t step over! Start where you are.
—Edgar Cayce (1877–1945) American Faith Healer
Making the beginning is one third of the work.
—Irish Proverb
It is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult undertaking which, more than anything else, will determine its successful outcome.
—William James (1842–1910) American Philosopher, Psychologist, Physician
The beginning is the half of every action.
—Common Proverb
A good beginning makes a good ending.
—English Proverb
Things are always at their best in their beginning.
—Blaise Pascal (1623–62) French Mathematician, Physicist, Theologian
The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.
—Walt Disney (1901–66) American Entrepreneur
The world is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be the beginning.
—Ivy Baker Priest (1905–75) American Politician
Begin somewhere; you cannot build a reputation on what you intend to do.
—Liz Smith (1923–2017) American Journalist, Columnist
This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
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