Wednesday, November 20, 2013

what is, what is not

A wheel is useful because it has emptiness at its centre,
through which an axle might pass.  
A bowl is useful because it is molded around emptiness,
waiting to be filled.  
A house is useful because of its doors and windows,
that allow people to enter and live happily.  
Therefore the 'what is' is benefited by the 'what is not'.  
Each is served by the other. 

— Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching

3 comments:

  1. O.M.G. That's so profound, Ruth. I've missed you here. The "emptiness" was waiting to be filled! :)

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  2. Yes. As painters often say, the value of every creative mark depends on its relationship to something else. I think Lao Tzu also said — I paraphrase — that to become full, one must become empty.

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