This line comes from a poem in 'Campos de Castilla' (1912), a major work by Antonio Machado. He was a leading figure of the 'Generation of '98,' a group of Spanish writers deeply affected by Spain's loss of its last colonies. The poem reflects a search for a new direction, both for the individual and for the nation, emphasizing that the future must be built through action, not by looking back.

This is one of the most famous and beloved lines in all of Spanish poetry. It has transcended literature to become a common saying, a piece of folk wisdom. Its popularity was massively boosted when singer-songwriter Joan Manuel Serrat set the poem to music in 1969, making it an anthem for generations across Spain and Latin America.

The quote is a beautiful metaphor for an existential idea: that our lives are not predetermined. The 'camino' (path) isn't something we find, but something we create through our 'andar' (walking, or actions). It suggests that meaning and purpose are built through experience, choice, and the simple act of moving forward.