Philosophy

道 德 經
Tao Teh Ching
Manual

道 Tâo
Chapter 11

30 spokes
join 1 hub
regard what is not
as usefulness (divine) of cart

form (boundary, limit) clay
so that becomes utensils
regard what is not
as usefulness (divine) of utensils

chisel (bore) doors, windows
so that becomes room
regard what is not
as usefulness of room

Therefore
having existence
it becomes beneficial
without (no, not - wu) existence
it becomes useful

十 一 章

三 十 輻
共 一 轂
當 其 無 有
車 之 用

埏 埴
以 為 器
當 其 無 有
器 之 用

鑿 戶 牖
以 為 室
當 其 無 有
室 之 用

有 之 以 為
利 無 之 以
為 用

Key Terms

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Observations and Comments
Legge Translation Notes

###, 'The Use of what has no Substantive Existence.' The three illustrations serve to set forth the freedom of the Tâo from all pre-occupation and purpose, and the use of what seems useless.