хорошее начало полдела откачало

1) General subject: a good beginning is half the battle, a good lather is half a shave, a good outset is the way, well begun is half done

2) Set phrase: a good beginning (or the first blow, stroke) is half the battle, a good beginning makes a good ending, the first step is as good as half over, well begun is half done (дословно: Хорошо начатое-наполовину сделано)

3) Makarov: a good lather is half the shave, a good outset is half the voyage, a good outset is half the way, good lather is half the shave, good outset is half the voyage, good outset is half the way