Adapt the nothing therein to the purpose

Here is 'Chapter XI' from the Tao Te Ching, a classical collection of wise sayings from the fourth century B.C., which is attributed to a contemporary of Confucius called, Lao Tzu.

The pictured copy is a 1987 reprint of the original 1963 translation by D.C.Lau ... I bought this in London, way back in July 1988!

I've never tired of reading it:


THE WAY

 XI

Thirty spokes
Share one hub. 

Adapt the nothing therein to the purpose in hand,
and you will have the use of the cart. 

Knead clay in order to make a vessel. 

Adapt the nothing therein to the purpose in hand,
and you will have the use of the vessel. 

Cut out doors and windows in order to make a room. 

Adapt the nothing therein to the purpose in hand,
and you will have the use of the room.

Thus what we gain is Something,
yet it is by virtue of Nothing that this can be put to use.

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