calligraphy · Running Script (行书)
The Journey of a Thousand Miles
千里之行始于足下
Laozi's most practical wisdom, written in a flowing horizontal scroll. Eight characters that have launched a million journeys — a reminder that every great achievement begins with a single, ordinary step.
Artist
Madame Zhang
Dimensions
80 × 30 cm
Style
Running Script (行书)
Created
July 22, 2026
$139
✧ Mounted & Ready to Hang
Your price includes traditional silk mounting (装裱) — the artwork arrives on a hand-made scroll, ready to hang the moment you unbox it. No separate framing needed.
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Includes silk mounting (装裱) & worldwide shipping.
The Meaning of 千里之行始于足下
千里之行始于足下 (Qiān lǐ zhī xíng shǐ yú zú xià) — from Laozi's Dao De Jing, Chapter 64. 'A journey of a thousand miles begins beneath your feet.' Written around 400 BCE, this is perhaps the most practical line in all of Chinese philosophy. It is not mystical; it is actionable. It says: stop dreaming about the destination and take the first step. The rest will follow.
How This Piece Was Created
This is the longest piece in the collection, and each character required Madame Zhang's full attention. Writing at this length is like a marathon — the hand must maintain consistent pressure and rhythm across dozens of strokes. She chose running script for its natural, breathing quality, as if the words themselves are walking across the paper. The ink was ground fresh, and the entire piece was completed in a single session at dawn.
Creation film: The Journey of a Thousand Miles (千里之行始于足下)
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This Film Travels with the Art
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