What do you KNOW?

[lumberjim]

Originally Posted by Flint

I think he might have just smacked you down, jumbo. But I can't quite figure it out.

It's from The Way

Originally Posted by HLJ

Thirty spokes meet at a nave;
Because of the hole we may use the wheel.
Clay is moulded into a vessel;
Because of the hollow we may use the cup.
Thus tools come from what exists,
But use from what does not

Beck's translation is somewhat more literally stated. IMO:

Thirty spokes are united around the hub of a wheel,
but the usefulness of the wheel depends on the space where nothing exists.
Clay is molded into a vessel, but the usefulness of the vessel depends on the space where nothing exists.
Doors and windows are cut out of the walls of a house, and the usefulness of the house depends on the space where nothing exists.

Therefore take advantage of what exists, and use what does not exist.

The five colors blind the eyes;
the five musical tones deafen the ears;
the five flavors dull the taste.
Racing and hunting madden the mind.
Precious goods keep their owners on guard.

Therefore the wise satisfy the inner self rather than external senses. They accept the one and reject the other.

[Sundae]

Clay is molded into a vessel, but the usefulness of the vessel depends on the space where nothing exists.

I may use this as my sig.
My head is a vessel where nothing exists. Therefore it is important.

[HungLikeJesus]

Originally Posted by lumberjim

It's from The Way

Beck's translation is somewhat more literally stated. IMO...

Yes - I should have included a reference.

I feel Merel's translations are more poetic, but probably just because his version is the one that I read first.

I like the site to which you linked because of the alternate interpretations.