--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Mold clay into a bowl. The empty space…" description: "\"Mold clay into a bowl. The empty space makes it useful.\" — Laozi" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c01/laozi-147_bowl_mold-clay-into-a-bowl-the-empty-space-ma_2322504.jpg" --- # Mold clay into a bowl. The empty space makes it useful. ![“Mold clay into a bowl. The empty space makes it useful.” quote by Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c01/laozi-147_bowl_mold-clay-into-a-bowl-the-empty-space-ma_2322504.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c01/laozi-147_bowl_mold-clay-into-a-bowl-the-empty-space-ma_2322504.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c01/laozi-147_bowl_mold-clay-into-a-bowl-the-empty-space-ma_2322504.jpg) > “Mold clay into a bowl. The empty space makes it useful.” [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. The value of an object lies in the empty space it contains; usefulness arises from what is not there. **In simple terms:** Empty space makes a bowl useful. Key Takeaway Design with purpose, leaving room for function. Themes design functionality philosophy Mood contemplative calm Type philosophical practical When to use this quote - product design - architecture - ceramics - writing Key Concepts negative space utility minimalism Questions to Reflect On - How does empty space enhance your designs? - When can you simplify by removing excess? A Different Perspective Neglecting the empty space can reduce effectiveness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bowl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bowl/) [Bowl Space](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bowl-space-5556565/) [Bowls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bowls/) [Clay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clay/) [Clay Bowl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clay-bowl-5556564/) [Empty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empty/) [Empty space](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empty-space/) [Mold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mold/) [Mold Clay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mold-clay-4144270/) [Space](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/space/) [Taoism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taoism/) ## Related quotes > [You see, a potter can only mold the clay when it lies completely in his hand. 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It's the only sport where there's a way to signal for a cocktail waitress.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-roberts/you-don-t-have-to-be-in-shape-to-bowl-it-s-the-only-sport-where-there/) [Robin Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-roberts/) > [Sometimes, you just have to go in there and bowl people over with your sheer force of will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-yuh-nelson/sometimes-you-just-have-to-go-in-there-and-bowl-people-over-with-your/) [Jennifer Yuh Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-yuh-nelson/) > [Winning the Super Bowl was obviously a great one, but the joy I felt of going to the Super Bowl, it was what I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-greene/winning-the-super-bowl-was-obviously-a-great-one-but-the-joy-i-felt/) [Joe Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-greene/) > [I like to eat cheese out of a bowl everyday.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willow-smith/i-like-to-eat-cheese-out-of-a-bowl-everyday/) [Willow Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willow-smith/) > [I never make a movie for awards consideration. 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Even when 'Basic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-stone/it-felt-like-i-d-been-playing-second-string-football-for-a-long-time/) [Sharon Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-stone/) > [ Whom has not the inspiring bowl made eloquent? \[Lat., Foecundi calices quem non fecere disertum.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/whom-has-not-the-inspiring-bowl-made-eloquent-lat-foecundi-calices/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [I'm going to the Super Bowl again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-wilson/i-m-going-to-the-super-bowl-again/) [Russell Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-wilson/) > [You always want to have good balance. Thats the key to winning a Super Bowl. You look at the teams who have won championships,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-elway/you-always-want-to-have-good-balance-thats-the-key-to-winning-a-super/) [John Elway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-elway/) > [I would sacrifice 1,000 yards rushing to win a Super Bowl. But I want to be the first back to have back-to-back 2,000-yard seasons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-peterson/i-would-sacrifice-1-000-yards-rushing-to-win-a-super-bowl-but-i-want/) [Adrian Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-peterson/) > [Never break another man's rice bowl.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akio-morita/never-break-another-man-s-rice-bowl/) [Akio Morita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akio-morita/) ## 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 Bowl quotes > [I think cricket is there in Usain Bolt's blood. Since I got to watch from close quarters, it was amazing to see him run…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harbhajan-singh/i-think-cricket-is-there-in-usain-bolt-s-blood-since-i-got-to-watch/) [Harbhajan Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harbhajan-singh/) > [Never break another man's rice bowl.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akio-morita/never-break-another-man-s-rice-bowl/) [Akio Morita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akio-morita/) > [Sometimes I'm in the mood for a cookie, sometimes a bowl of chips.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorit-kemsley/sometimes-i-m-in-the-mood-for-a-cookie-sometimes-a-bowl-of-chips/) [Dorit Kemsley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorit-kemsley/) > [“Give me 10 pins and a hardwood lane, and I’ll bowl. Just as long as that bowl is full of spaghetti. I’ll always be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/give-me-10-pins-and-a-hardwood-lane-and-i-ll-bowl-just-as-long-as/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [Obviously you want to contend for a Super Bowl.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-mccourty/obviously-you-want-to-contend-for-a-super-bowl/) [Jason McCourty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-mccourty/) > [It's always tough for a spinner to bowl against India.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/imran-tahir/it-s-always-tough-for-a-spinner-to-bowl-against-india/) [Imran Tahir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/imran-tahir/) > [We don't just want to win the Super Bowl, we want to make a dynasty. I want to be a player who makes that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-alexander/we-don-t-just-want-to-win-the-super-bowl-we-want-to-make-a-dynasty-i/) [Shaun Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-alexander/) > [The goal every season is to win a Super Bowl.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-darnold/the-goal-every-season-is-to-win-a-super-bowl/) [Sam Darnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-darnold/) > [I turned into a monk when my mother went to learn Buddhism in Burma. While she learnt at the monastery, I used to roam…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kabir-bedi/i-turned-into-a-monk-when-my-mother-went-to-learn-buddhism-in-burma/) [Kabir Bedi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir-bedi/) > [I'm lucky to live in New York, a city that offers so many options for lunch. I can pick up dumplings from a Midtown…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/i-m-lucky-to-live-in-new-york-a-city-that-offers-so-many-options-for/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [The Super Bowl obviously wasn't in my cards, and I'm OK with that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-gonzalez/the-super-bowl-obviously-wasn-t-in-my-cards-and-i-m-ok-with-that/) [Tony Gonzalez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-gonzalez/) > [Everything to me is about team football, and if we keep winning Super Bowl trophies, I'll be fine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-tuck/everything-to-me-is-about-team-football-and-if-we-keep-winning-super/) [Justin Tuck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-tuck/) > [Most advertisers spend millions upon millions of dollars to buy commercial time during the Super Bowl, and millions in creating eye-popping ads, hoping to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-diamandis/most-advertisers-spend-millions-upon-millions-of-dollars-to-buy/) [Peter Diamandis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-diamandis/) > [Covering a Super Bowl is actually one of the easiest things we do because our most experienced people are there. 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