Emptiness Quotes
We shape clay into a pot, but it is the emptiness inside that holds whatever we want.
"We shape clay into a pot, but it is the emptiness inside that holds whatever we want."— Lao Tzu
Download in different sizes
Meaning of this quote
A pot works because of the space it contains, not only the clay that forms it. The image invites attention to the usefulness of openness and absence alongside visible things.
Key takeaway:
Notice the value of the space that makes something useful.
Origin of the quote
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 11, in Stephen Mitchell's modern English version, traditionally attributed to Laozi.
Who actually said this?
VerifiedThe wording matches the cited modern English version. Attribution should acknowledge Mitchell's rendering and the traditional authorship of the underlying text.
