he who would climb the ladder must begin at the bottom
To attain more power or success, one must gradually work up to it from a position of comparative insignificance. Nobody becomes famous overnight—he who would climb the ladder must begin at the bottom.
He who would climb the ladder must begin at the bottom.
Prov. If you want to gain high status, you must start with low status and slowly work upwards. Although Thomas hoped to become a famous journalist, he didn't mind working for a small-town newspaper at first. "He who would climb the ladder must begin at the bottom," he said.