--- title: "10 Clay Quotes By Laozi" description: "10 Clay quotes by Laozi. Plus more from Laozi and more Clay sayings from other authors." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/445/laozi-147_clay_clay-is-used-to-make-vases-but-it-is-the_2812921.jpg" --- > [Clay is used to make vases, but it is the emptiness they contain that makes them useful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/clay-is-used-to-make-vases-but-it-is-the-emptiness-they-contain-that/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/445/laozi-147_clay_clay-is-used-to-make-vases-but-it-is-the_2812921.jpg) > [Mold clay into a bowl. The empty space makes it useful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/mold-clay-into-a-bowl-the-empty-space-makes-it-useful/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c01/laozi-147_bowl_mold-clay-into-a-bowl-the-empty-space-ma_2322504.jpg) > [Clay is moulded to make a vessel, but the utility of the vessel lies in the space where there is nothing. .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/clay-is-moulded-to-make-a-vessel-but-the-utility-of-the-vessel-lies/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a1c/laozi-147_advantage_clay-is-moulded-to-make-a-vessel-but-the_310741.jpg) > [A vessel is formed from a lump of clay with care, however, it is the empty space within the vessel that makes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/a-vessel-is-formed-from-a-lump-of-clay-with-care-however-it-is-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a82/laozi-147_care_a-vessel-is-formed-from-a-lump-of-clay-w_1148199.jpg) > [Thirty spokes meet in the hub. Where a wheel isn't is where it's useful. Hollowed out, clay makes a pot. Where the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/thirty-spokes-meet-in-the-hub-where-a-wheel-isn-t-is-where-it-s/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d7/laozi-147_clay_thirty-spokes-meet-in-the-hub-where-a-wh_1647590.jpg) > [Clay is molded to form a cup, But it is on its non-being that the utility of the cup depends. Doors and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/clay-is-molded-to-form-a-cup-but-it-is-on-its-non-being-that-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ee/laozi-147_advantage_clay-is-molded-to-form-a-cup-but-it-is-o_310802.jpg) > [We put thirty spokes to make a wheel: But it is on the hole in the center that the use of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/we-put-thirty-spokes-to-make-a-wheel-but-it-is-on-the-hole-in-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21e/laozi-147_advantage_we-put-thirty-spokes-to-make-a-wheel-but_1036889.jpg) > [Shape clay into a vessel; It is the space within that makes it useful. Cut doors and windows for a room; It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/shape-clay-into-a-vessel-it-is-the-space-within-that-makes-it-useful/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d27/laozi-147_benefits_shape-clay-into-a-vessel-it-is-the-space_3138271.jpg) > [Clay is fashioned into vessels; it is on their empty hollowness that their use depends. Doors and windows are cut out to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/clay-is-fashioned-into-vessels-it-is-on-their-empty-hollowness-that/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e6/laozi-147_be-good_clay-is-fashioned-into-vessels-it-is-on_1760500.jpg) > [Thirty spokes meet in the hub, but the empty space between them is the essence of the wheel. Pots are formed from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/thirty-spokes-meet-in-the-hub-but-the-empty-space-between-them-is-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f3/laozi-147_clay_thirty-spokes-meet-in-the-hub-but-the-em_1076164.jpg) ## Other authors on Clay ## More by Laozi > [When you have accomplished your goal simply walk away. This is the path way to Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-you-have-accomplished-your-goal-simply-walk-away-this-is-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [In lightness the root is lost. In haste the ruler is lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/in-lightness-the-root-is-lost-in-haste-the-ruler-is-lost/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [If the sage wants to stand above people, he must speak to them from below. If he wants to lead people, he must follow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/if-the-sage-wants-to-stand-above-people-he-must-speak-to-them-from/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Goodie-goodies are the thieves of virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/goodie-goodies-are-the-thieves-of-virtue/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [He that humbles himself shall be preserved entire. He that bends shall be made straight. He that is empty shall be filled. He that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/he-that-humbles-himself-shall-be-preserved-entire-he-that-bends-shall/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The Way of the Sage is to act but not to compete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-way-of-the-sage-is-to-act-but-not-to-compete/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Do nondoing, strive for nonstriving, savor the flavorless, regard the small as important, make much of little, repay enmity with virtue; plan for difficulty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/do-nondoing-strive-for-nonstriving-savor-the-flavorless-regard-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Without looking through the window, you can see Heaven's Way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/without-looking-through-the-window-you-can-see-heaven-s-way/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Can you dissolve your ego? Can you abandon the idea of self and other? Can you relinquish the notions of male and female, short…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/can-you-dissolve-your-ego-can-you-abandon-the-idea-of-self-and-other/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The Tao is the center of the universe, the good man's treasure, the bad man's refuge. Honors can be bought with fine words, respect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-tao-is-the-center-of-the-universe-the-good-man-s-treasure-the-bad/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [What's the difference between beautiful and ugly?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/what-s-the-difference-between-beautiful-and-ugly/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [In stillness the muddied water returns to clarity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/in-stillness-the-muddied-water-returns-to-clarity/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [He (the sage) is good to those who are good. He is also good to those who are not good. That is the virtue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/he-the-sage-is-good-to-those-who-are-good-he-is-also-good-to-those/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [There is a thing inherent and natural which existed before heaven and earth. Motionless and fathomless, It stands alone and never changes; It pervades…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/there-is-a-thing-inherent-and-natural-which-existed-before-heaven-and/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [What is a good man but a bad man's teacher? What is a bad man but a good man's job? If you do not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/what-is-a-good-man-but-a-bad-man-s-teacher-what-is-a-bad-man-but-a/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "ItemList", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clay/laozi/#itemlist", "name": "10 Clay Quotes By Laozi", "numberOfItems": 10, "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Clay is used to make vases, but it is the emptiness they contain that makes them useful.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Laozi" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/clay-is-used-to-make-vases-but-it-is-the-emptiness-they-contain-that/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/445/laozi-147_clay_clay-is-used-to-make-vases-but-it-is-the_2812921.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/445/laozi-147_clay_clay-is-used-to-make-vases-but-it-is-the_2812921.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/445/laozi-147_clay_clay-is-used-to-make-vases-but-it-is-the_2812921.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Clay is used to make vases, but it is the emptiness they contain that makes them useful.” — Laozi", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Mold clay into a bowl. 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Where a wheel isn't is where it's useful. Hollowed out, clay makes a pot. Where the pots not is where it's useful. Cut doors and windows to make a room. Where the room isn't, there's room for you. So the profit in what is, is in the use of what isn't.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Laozi" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/thirty-spokes-meet-in-the-hub-where-a-wheel-isn-t-is-where-it-s/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d7/laozi-147_clay_thirty-spokes-meet-in-the-hub-where-a-wh_1647590.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d7/laozi-147_clay_thirty-spokes-meet-in-the-hub-where-a-wh_1647590.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d7/laozi-147_clay_thirty-spokes-meet-in-the-hub-where-a-wh_1647590.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Thirty spokes meet in the hub. Where a wheel isn't is where it's useful. Hollowed out, clay makes a pot…” — Laozi", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 6, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Clay is molded to form a cup, But it is on its non-being that the utility of the cup depends. Doors and windows are cut out to make a room, But it is on its non-being that the utility of the room depends. Therefore turn being into advantage, and turn non-being into utility.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Laozi" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/clay-is-molded-to-form-a-cup-but-it-is-on-its-non-being-that-the/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ee/laozi-147_advantage_clay-is-molded-to-form-a-cup-but-it-is-o_310802.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ee/laozi-147_advantage_clay-is-molded-to-form-a-cup-but-it-is-o_310802.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ee/laozi-147_advantage_clay-is-molded-to-form-a-cup-but-it-is-o_310802.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Clay is molded to form a cup, But it is on its non-being that the utility of the cup depends. Doors and…” — Laozi", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 7, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We put thirty spokes to make a wheel: But it is on the hole in the center that the use of the cart hinges. We make a vessel from a lump of clay; But it is the empty space within the vessel that makes it useful. We make doors and windows for a room; But it is the empty spaces that make the room livable. Thus, while existence has advantages, It is the emptiness that makes it useful.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Laozi" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/we-put-thirty-spokes-to-make-a-wheel-but-it-is-on-the-hole-in-the/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21e/laozi-147_advantage_we-put-thirty-spokes-to-make-a-wheel-but_1036889.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21e/laozi-147_advantage_we-put-thirty-spokes-to-make-a-wheel-but_1036889.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21e/laozi-147_advantage_we-put-thirty-spokes-to-make-a-wheel-but_1036889.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We put thirty spokes to make a wheel: But it is on the hole in the center that the use of the cart hinges…” — Laozi", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 8, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Shape clay into a vessel; It is the space within that makes it useful. Cut doors and windows for a room; It is the holes which make it useful. Therefore benefit comes from what is there; Usefulness from what is not there.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Laozi" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/shape-clay-into-a-vessel-it-is-the-space-within-that-makes-it-useful/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d27/laozi-147_benefits_shape-clay-into-a-vessel-it-is-the-space_3138271.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d27/laozi-147_benefits_shape-clay-into-a-vessel-it-is-the-space_3138271.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d27/laozi-147_benefits_shape-clay-into-a-vessel-it-is-the-space_3138271.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Shape clay into a vessel; It is the space within that makes it useful. Cut doors and windows for a room; It…” — Laozi", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 9, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Clay is fashioned into vessels; it is on their empty hollowness that their use depends. Doors and windows are cut out to make a dwelling, and on the empty space within, its use depends. Thus, while the existence of things may be good, it is the non-existence in them that makes them serviceable.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Laozi" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/clay-is-fashioned-into-vessels-it-is-on-their-empty-hollowness-that/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e6/laozi-147_be-good_clay-is-fashioned-into-vessels-it-is-on_1760500.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e6/laozi-147_be-good_clay-is-fashioned-into-vessels-it-is-on_1760500.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e6/laozi-147_be-good_clay-is-fashioned-into-vessels-it-is-on_1760500.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Clay is fashioned into vessels; it is on their empty hollowness that their use depends. Doors and windows…” — Laozi", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 10, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Thirty spokes meet in the hub, but the empty space between them is the essence of the wheel. Pots are formed from clay, but the empty space within it is the essence of the pot. Walls with windows and doors form the house, but the empty space within it is the essence of the home.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Laozi" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/thirty-spokes-meet-in-the-hub-but-the-empty-space-between-them-is-the/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f3/laozi-147_clay_thirty-spokes-meet-in-the-hub-but-the-em_1076164.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f3/laozi-147_clay_thirty-spokes-meet-in-the-hub-but-the-em_1076164.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f3/laozi-147_clay_thirty-spokes-meet-in-the-hub-but-the-em_1076164.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Thirty spokes meet in the hub, but the empty space between them is the essence of the wheel. 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