--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We put thirty spokes to make a wheel: But…" description: "\"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..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21e/laozi-147_advantage_we-put-thirty-spokes-to-make-a-wheel-but_1036889.jpg" --- # We put thirty spokes to make a wheel: But it is on the… ![“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…” quote by Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21e/laozi-147_advantage_we-put-thirty-spokes-to-make-a-wheel-but_1036889.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21e/laozi-147_advantage_we-put-thirty-spokes-to-make-a-wheel-but_1036889.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21e/laozi-147_advantage_we-put-thirty-spokes-to-make-a-wheel-but_1036889.jpg) > “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.” [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 things lies not in their material parts but in the empty space they contain, which enables function and meaning. **In simple terms:** Empty space gives purpose to objects. Key Takeaway Recognize the importance of the unseen. Themes philosophy balance utility Mood reflective thoughtful Type metaphorical inspirational When to use this quote - design - architecture - team dynamics - personal growth Key Concepts Taoism negative space functionality Questions to Reflect On - How do you honor the invisible foundations in your work? - What emptiness in your life creates value? A Different Perspective Empty space can be overlooked, leading to underappreciation of subtle contributions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Advantage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advantage/) [Emptiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emptiness/) [Empty space](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empty-space/) [Existence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existence/) [Space](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/space/) ## Related quotes > [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/) > [There is something more important than the place being left. It's that swell of crushing emptiness that makes the insignificant seem anything but.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucas-mann/there-is-something-more-important-than-the-place-being-left-it-s-that/) [Lucas Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucas-mann/) > [“It is a gray and a lonely place in which we live, all of us, swinging between desperation and emptiness, and all that makes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/it-is-a-gray-and-a-lonely-place-in-which-we-live-all-of-us-swinging/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [“How can I make you the vessel of the Void? What kind of love would that be?" "The greatest kind of all.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-ella/how-can-i-make-you-the-vessel-of-the-void-what-kind-of-love-would/) [Sara Ella](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-ella/) > [“The broken pieces will make this vessel even better.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/connilyn-cossette/the-broken-pieces-will-make-this-vessel-even-better/) [Connilyn Cossette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/connilyn-cossette/) > [Lord, make me a vessel of your glory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mark/lord-make-me-a-vessel-of-your-glory/) [Terry Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mark/) > [Ultimately, our lives hinge on the ability to make right choices and decisions. By God's grace, I made the most important decision a person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-a-dickey/ultimately-our-lives-hinge-on-the-ability-to-make-right-choices-and/) [R.A. 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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? 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