To climb a tree, start at the bottom, not the top.

What it means

Every skill and every career is climbed from the ground up. Skipping the first branches only means falling later. Respect the basics and climb in order.

The source

"To climb a tree, start at the bottom, not the top." This Akan proverb is recorded in Rattray, Ashanti Proverbs (1916), no. 775 (Christaller 1879, no. 1145). Translated by Rattray, 1916.

"When one would climb a tree, one begins from the bottom and not from the top."

Rattray, 1916, Rattray, Ashanti Proverbs (1916), no. 775 (Christaller 1879, no. 1145). Text read at archive.org.

Who said it

Proverbs of the world (Every age). Sayings from the Latin, Greek, Norse, Japanese, Chinese and more, each traced to an old source in its own language.

Questions

What does "To climb a tree, start at the bottom, not the top." mean?

Every skill and every career is climbed from the ground up. Skipping the first branches only means falling later. Respect the basics and climb in order.

Who said "To climb a tree, start at the bottom, not the top."?

Akan proverb. Source: Rattray, Ashanti Proverbs (1916), no. 775 (Christaller 1879, no. 1145).

What is the original wording?

When one would climb a tree, one begins from the bottom and not from the top (Rattray, 1916). Translated by Rattray, 1916.

Is "To climb a tree, start at the bottom, not the top." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"To climb a tree, start at the bottom, not the top." (Akan proverb, Rattray, Ashanti Proverbs (1916), no. 775 (Christaller 1879, no. 1145), trans. Rattray, 1916). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/to-climb-a-tree-start-at-the-bottom