LessonsPractice 4: Advanced Balāghah: Integrated Exercises and Subtle Problems of InterpretationQuiz

إِنَّ الطَّرِيقَ طَوِيلٌ، وَلَكِنَّ الْخُطْوَةَ الْأُولَى قَرِيبَةٌ.
The road is long, but the first step is near.

The first clause acknowledges difficulty; the second, introduced by lakinna, checks a despairing inference and makes beginning seem attainable. The function is motivational, not merely decorative contrast.

“Long” and “near” are not a neat lexical antonym pair in this setting; they qualify different things, the whole journey and its first step. The discourse contrast is more securely described than a forced textbook antithesis.

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Concession followed by practical resolve

Practice 4: Advanced Balāghah: Integrated Exercises and Subtle Problems of Interpretation

إِنَّ الطَّرِيقَ طَوِيلٌ، وَلَكِنَّ الْخُطْوَةَ الْأُولَى قَرِيبَةٌ.
The road is long, but the first step is near.

The first clause acknowledges difficulty; the second, introduced by lakinna, checks a despairing inference and makes beginning seem attainable. The function is motivational, not merely decorative contrast.

“Long” and “near” are not a neat lexical antonym pair in this setting; they qualify different things, the whole journey and its first step. The discourse contrast is more securely described than a forced textbook antithesis.