A dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

It is the FIRST step that is difficult
The proverb has various forms. The story to which the French saying alludes is referred to in quot. 1979. Cf. Fr. ce n’est que le premier pas qui coute, it is only the first step that costs.

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  c 1596 A. MUNDAY et al. Sir Thomas More 11 Would I were so far on my journey. The first stretch is the worst methinks. 1616 J. WITHALS Dict. (rev. ed.) 576 The first step is as good as halfe ouer. 1876 A. B. MEACHAM Wi-Ne-Ma & her People iv. He had fortified himself against the charms of the Indian maiden, as he thought, but consented to visit her. Ah! my man, have you not learned that when the first step is taken the next follows easily. 1979 J. BARNETT Backfire is Hostile xi. St. Denis was executed. .. Afterwards he picked up his head and walked for six miles. .. The wise man said, ‘The distance.. is not important. It was the first step that was difficult.’ 1991 ‘P. RUELL’ Only Game vii. 193 What is it they said about that Frenchman who walked three miles after his head had been chopped off? It’s the first step that counts. ■beginnings and endings
  

FIRST things first

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  1894 G. JACKSON (title) First things first; addresses to young men. 1920 W. RILEY Yorkshire Suburb 136 The dear lady was.. incapable.. of putting first things first. 1979 ‘L. BLACK’ Penny Murders iv. They dropped the talking; first things first, as Kate always felt about a pleasant meal. 2002 Spectator 10 Aug. 20 ‘I think the principle of “first things first” does apply,’ says Al Gore, ‘and has to be followed if we are to have any chance of success.’ ■ orderliness
  

FIRST thoughts are best

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  1922 J. JOYCE Ulysses 354 First kiss does the trick. The propitious moment. Something inside them goes pop. Mushy like, tell by their eye, on the sly. First thoughts are best. Remember that till their dying day. 1929 ‘P. OLDFELD’ Alchemy Murder viii. 95 ‘I have thought it over. First thoughts are best.’ 1943 M. LOWRY Letter 7 Sept. in S. E. Grace Sursum Corda! (1995) I. 427 Don’t shrink the Branches too much—first thoughts often best. "decision and indecision