隗かいより始はじめよ

expression

start with the first step; begin with what is at hand

Proverb meaning that when undertaking a large project, one should start with immediate, concrete actions rather than waiting for perfect conditions. Often used to encourage taking initiative.

• 大おおきな改かい革かくも、隗かいより始はじめよの精せい神しんで、まず身み近ぢかなところから手てをつけよう。

  Even big reforms should start with immediate steps, in the spirit of 'start with the first step.'

expression

the one who proposes it should do it first

Proverb meaning that the person who suggests an idea should be the first to act on it. This sense is less common than sense 1 and may be considered a secondary interpretation.

• 「隗かいより始はじめよ」と言いうから、提てい案あんした君きみがまずやってみせてくれ。

  Since they say 'he who first suggests it should be the first to do it,' you, who proposed it, should show us how it's done first.