--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you want to become full, let yourself…" description: "\"If you want to become full, let yourself be empty.\" — Laozi" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1c3/laozi-147_empty_if-you-want-to-become-full-let-yourself_2949471.jpg" --- # If you want to become full, let yourself be empty. ![“If you want to become full, let yourself be empty.” quote by Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1c3/laozi-147_empty_if-you-want-to-become-full-let-yourself_2949471.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1c3/laozi-147_empty_if-you-want-to-become-full-let-yourself_2949471.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1c3/laozi-147_empty_if-you-want-to-become-full-let-yourself_2949471.jpg) > “If you want to become full, let yourself be empty.” [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Emptiness is a prerequisite for fullness; letting go creates space for growth. **In simple terms:** Be empty to become full. Key Takeaway Practice letting go. Themes spirituality philosophy growth balance Mood peaceful contemplative Type philosophical inspirational Key Concepts Taoism mindfulness self‑development Questions to Reflect On - How does emptiness feel in daily life? - What can you release to grow? A Different Perspective Emptiness can be unsettling. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Empty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empty/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Tao ching](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tao-ching/) [Tao te ching](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tao-te-ching/) [Taoism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taoism/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) [Want Let](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want-let/) ## Related quotes > [In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/in-dwelling-live-close-to-the-ground-in-thinking-keep-to-the-simple-3/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The Master's power is like this. He lets all things come and go effortlessly, without desire. He never expects results; thus he is never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-master-s-power-is-like-this-he-lets-all-things-come-and-go/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The nameless is the beginning of Heaven and Earth. The named is the mother of all things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-nameless-is-the-beginning-of-heaven-and-earth-the-named-is-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao. The name that can be named is not the eternal Name.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-tao-that-can-be-told-is-not-the-eternal-tao-the-name-that-can-be/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/let-things-flow-naturally-forward-in-whatever-way-they-like/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The Tao is like a well; used but never used up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-tao-is-like-a-well-used-but-never-used-up/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [He who stands on tiptoe does not stand firm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/he-who-stands-on-tiptoe-does-not-stand-firm/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [He who stands on tiptoe doesn't stand firm. He who rushes ahead doesn't go far. He who tries to shine dims his own light.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/he-who-stands-on-tiptoe-doesn-t-stand-firm-he-who-rushes-ahead-doesn/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Free from desire, you realize the mystery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/free-from-desire-you-realize-the-mystery/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao The name that can be named is not the eternal Name. The unnamable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-tao-that-can-be-told-is-not-the-eternal-tao-the-name-that-can-be-2/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [If you want to accord with the Tao, just do your job, then let go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/if-you-want-to-accord-with-the-tao-just-do-your-job-then-let-go/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [A great nation is like a great man:When he makes a mistake, he realizes it.Having realized it, he admits it.Having admitted it, he corrects…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/a-great-nation-is-like-a-great-man-when-he-makes-a-mistake-he/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Observe how endings become beginnings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/observe-how-endings-become-beginnings/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Care about people's approval and you will be their prisoner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/care-about-people-s-approval-and-you-will-be-their-prisoner/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Try to change it and you will ruin it. Try to hold it and you will lose it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/try-to-change-it-and-you-will-ruin-it-try-to-hold-it-and-you-will/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) ## 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/) [Explore all 1,140 Laozi quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) ## More Empty quotes > [How could anybody confuse truth with beauty, I thought as I looked at him. Truth came with sunken eyes, bony or scarred, decayed. 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Good ol’ Joe!” “Captain, you’re drunk!” Lofflin said, stating the obvious while trying to keep his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-engela/joe-he-groaned-attempting-to-speak-clearly-joe-good-ol-joe-captain/) [Christina Engela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-engela/) > [Why chase after thoughts, which are superficial ripples of present awareness? Rather look directly into the naked, empty nature of thoughts; then there is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamgon-kongtrul/why-chase-after-thoughts-which-are-superficial-ripples-of-present/) [Jamgon Kongtrul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamgon-kongtrul/) > [Education turns an empty mind into an open mind. It turns information into behavioural transformation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shiv-khera/education-turns-an-empty-mind-into-an-open-mind-it-turns-information/) [Shiv Khera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shiv-khera/) > [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/) > [Our real nature is not our imaginary, limited ego. Our true nature is vast, all-comprehensive, and intangible as empty space.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anagarika-govinda/our-real-nature-is-not-our-imaginary-limited-ego-our-true-nature-is/) [Anagarika Govinda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anagarika-govinda/) > [Adults look upon a child as something empty that is to be filled through their own efforts, as something inert and helpless for which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/adults-look-upon-a-child-as-something-empty-that-is-to-be-filled/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [Man preys on man; and you mourn for the idle tapestry that decorated a gothic pillar, and the dronish bell that summoned the fat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wollstonecraft/man-preys-on-man-and-you-mourn-for-the-idle-tapestry-that-decorated-a/) [Mary Wollstonecraft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wollstonecraft/) > [I don't see the future as bright, language-wise. I see it as a glass half empty - and evaporating quickly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-cavett/i-don-t-see-the-future-as-bright-language-wise-i-see-it-as-a-glass/) [Dick Cavett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-cavett/) > [I get letters every year from women who think Valentine's Day is an empty exercise, but are ironically pretty exercised when their boyfriends neglect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-savage/i-get-letters-every-year-from-women-who-think-valentine-s-day-is-an/) [Dan Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-savage/) [Browse all 3,081 Empty quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empty/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If you want to become full, let yourself be empty.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Laozi" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/if-you-want-to-become-full-let-yourself-be-empty/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Empty" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/if-you-want-to-become-full-let-yourself-be-empty/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1c3/laozi-147_empty_if-you-want-to-become-full-let-yourself_2949471.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1c3/laozi-147_empty_if-you-want-to-become-full-let-yourself_2949471.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1c3/laozi-147_empty_if-you-want-to-become-full-let-yourself_2949471.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If you want to become full, let yourself be empty.” — Laozi", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Laozi", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If you want to become full,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/if-you-want-to-become-full-let-yourself-be-empty/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/if-you-want-to-become-full-let-yourself-be-empty/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```