始(はじ)め良(よ)ければ終(お)わり良(よ)し

はじめよければおわりよし
expression
all's well that begins well; a good start makes a good end
proverb
1. all's well that begins well; a good start makes a good end
A proverb meaning that if something begins smoothly, the rest will go well too. Often cited to encourage care and attention at the very start of a task or project.
始(はじ)め良(よ)ければ終(お)わり良(よ)しと言(い)う。
As they say, all's well that begins well.
始(はじ)め良(よ)ければ終(お)わり良(よ)しだから、最初(さいしょ)が肝心(かんじん)だ。
Since a good start makes a good end, the very beginning is what matters.
始(はじ)め良(よ)ければ終(お)わり良(よ)しと言(い)うように、新(あたら)しいプロジェクトの立(た)ち上(あ)げには特(とく)に気(き)を使(つか)いたい。
As the proverb "all's well that begins well" says, I want to be especially careful when launching a new project.

A proverb often quoted in business and educational settings to stress the importance of a careful start. Frequently introduced with 〜(〜)と言(い)うように or 〜(〜)と言(い)うとおり to lead into the speaker's main point.

Usage

  • Often used as encouragement at the start of a new venture
  • May serve as a self-reminder before beginning preparation work
  • Sometimes used reflectively after a project succeeded thanks to a strong opening

The phrase corresponds closely to the English title and proverb "All's well that ends well" — but reversed. The Japanese version emphasizes the start as the cause; the English version emphasizes the ending as what ultimately matters. The two are not interchangeable in nuance.

Related words