Religion
Chapter 11
Translated by James Legge (1891) · From The Tao Teh King (1891)
The thirty spokes unite in the one nave; but it is on the empty space (for the axle), that the use of the wheel depends. Clay is fashioned into vessels; but it is on their empty hollowness, that their use depends. The door and windows are cut out (from the walls) to form an apartment; but it is on the empty space (within), that its use depends. Therefore, what has a (positive) existence serves for profitable adaptation, and what has not that for (actual) usefulness.
This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.
Codex Note
Prose translation of a largely rhymed original, with occasional rhymed renderings by Legge; words in parentheses are his supplied additions.
Cite this poem
MLA
Laozi (Lao Tzu). “Chapter 11.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/laozi/10/.
Chicago
Laozi (Lao Tzu). “Chapter 11.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/laozi/10/.
Read this poem with the Codex →