Benefits Quote by Laozi
“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.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Tao Te Ching, c. 400 BC
Value often lies in the empty space that allows function, not just the material itself.
In simple terms: Empty space gives purpose.
Key Takeaway
Appreciate the unseen.
Themes
philosophy
design
utility
Mood
contemplative
inspired
Type
aphilosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- architecture
- product design
- writing
- mindfulness
Key Concepts
Taoism
negative space
functionality
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you design for the unseen?
- What empties make your work useful?
A Different Perspective
Empty space can be overlooked, reducing effectiveness.
![“[The Dalai Lama] told me some years ago, "I've made every concession to China, and I've been as open and tolerant as I could, and still things get worse in Tibet." If you look at it from one point of view, as he himself says, his monastic position of forbearance and nonviolence hasn't reaped any…” quote by Pico Iyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9fe/pico-iyer-1252_benefits_the-dalai-lama-told-me-some-years-ago-i_678.jpg)
