A terracotta tile on sand beneath a hanging brass plumb bob, with stacked tiles nearby.

Original artwork, not a still

Plato

The beginning is the most important part of the work.

Behind the line

What it means

Our interpretation.

The speaker gives the beginning greater importance than any other part of a task. One reading treats the opening as the point that sets later work in motion. The short sentence concentrates attention on starting, making that first stage carry unusual weight.

Context reviewed

Share this quote