Tao Teh Ching - 60 Interactive Versions

#Click on a sentence 1 2 3 4 Chapter 10 Chapter 12 Back to index #

Ch. 11	Sentence 1
Beck	Thirty spokes are united around the hub of a wheel, but the usefulness of the wheel depends on the space where nothing exists.
Blackney	Thirty spokes will converge In the hub of a wheel; But the use of the cart Will depend on the part Of the hub that is void.
Bynner	Thirty spokes are made one by holes in a hub By vacancies joining them for a wheel's use.
Byrn	Thirty spokes are joined together in a wheel, but it is the center hole that allows the wheel to function.
Chan	Thirty spokes are united around the hub to make a wheel, But it is on its non-being that the utility of the carriage depends.
Cleary	Thirty spokes join at a hub: their use for the cart is where they are not.
Crowley	The thirty spokes join in their nave, that is one; yet the wheel depends for use upon the hollow place for the axle.
Hansen	Thirty spokes together make one hub. Where the nothing is, lies the cart's use.
LaFargue	Thirty spokes unite in one hollow hub in this 'nothing' lies the wheel's usefulness.
Legge	The thirty spokes unite in the one nave; but it is on the empty space (for the axle), that the use of the wheel depends.
Lindauer	Thirty spokes converge at one hub The use of a chariot is in the presence of what is absent
LinYutan	Thirty spokes unite around the nave; From their not-being (loss of their individuality) Arises the utility of the wheel.
Mabry	Thirty spokes join together at one hub, But it is the hole in the enter that makes it operable.
McDonald	We put thirty spokes together and call it a wheel; but it's on the space where there's nothing that the usefulness of the wheel depends.
Merel	Thirty spokes meet at a nave; Because of the hole we may use the wheel.
Mitchell	We join spokes together in a wheel, but it is the centre hole that makes the wagon move.
Muller	Thirty spokes join together in the hub. It is because of what is not there that the cart is useful.
Red Pine	Thirty spokes converge on a hub but it's the emptiness that makes a wheel work
Ta-Kao	Thirty spokes unite in one nave, And because of the part where nothing exists we have the use of a carriage wheel.
Walker	Thirty spokes meet at a hollowed-out hub; the wheel won't work without its hole.
Wieger	A wheel is made of thirty perceptible spokes, but it turns due to the imperceptible central axis of the hub.
World	Thirty spokes converge on the wheel's hub. But the center hole which receives the axle makes it useful.
Wu	Thirty spokes converge upon a single hub; It is the hole in the centre that the use of the cart hinges.

Ch. 11 Sentence 2

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

Blackney With a wall all around A clay bowl is moulded; But the use of the bowl Will depend on the part Of the bowl that is void.

Bynner The use of clay in moulding pitchers Comes from the hollow of its absence;

Byrn We mold clay into a pot, but it is the emptiness inside that makes the vessel useful.

Chan Clay is moulded to form a utensil, But it is on its non-being that the utility of the utensil depends.

Cleary When the potter's wheel makes a pot, the use of the pot is precisely where there is nothing.

Crowley Clay is shaped to make vessels; but the contained space is what is useful.

Hansen Throwing clay to deem:make a utensil; Where the nothing is, lies the utensil's use.

LaFargue Knead clay to make a jar - in its 'nothing' lies the jar's usefulness.

Legge Clay is fashioned into vessels; but it is on their empty hollowness, that their use depends.

Lindauer Shaping clay, it happens to act as a vessel The use of a vessel is in the presence of what is absent

LinYutan Mold clay into a vessel; From its not-being (in the vessel's hollow) Arises the utility of the vessel.

Mabry Clay is molded into a pot, But it is the emptiness inside that makes it useful.

McDonald We turn clay to make a vessel; but it's on the space where there's nothing that the usefulness of the vessel depends.

Merel Clay is moulded into a vessel; Because of the hollow we may use the cup.

Mitchell We shape clay into a pot, but it is the emptiness inside that holds whatever we want.

Muller Clay is formed into a vessel. It is because of its emptiness that the vessel is useful.

Red Pine pots are fashioned from clay but it's the hollow that make a pot work

Ta-Kao Clay is moulded into vessels, And because of the space where nothing exists we are able to use them as vessels.

Walker A vessel is moulded from solid clay; its inner emptiness makes it useful.

Wieger Vessels are made of perceptible clay, but it is their imperceptible hollow that is useful.

World Clay is shaped into a pot. But the inner space which receives whatever one puts into it makes it useful.

Wu We make a vessel from a lump of clay; It is the empty space within the vessel that makes it useful.

Ch. 11 Sentence 3

Beck 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.

Blackney Cut out windows and doors In the house as you build; But the use of the house Will depend on the space In the walls that is void.

Bynner Doors, windows, in a house, Are used for their emptiness:

Byrn We fashion wood for a house, but it is the emptiness inside that makes it livable.

Chan Doors and windows are cut out to make a room, But it is on its non-being that the utility of the room depends.

Cleary When you open the doors and windows for a room, it is where there is nothing that they are useful to the room.

Crowley

Hansen Sculpting windows and doors to deem:make a room; Where the nothing is, lies the room's use.

LaFargue Cut out doors and windows in making a house - in their 'nothing' lies the house's usefulness.

Legge The door and windows are cut out (from the walls) to form an apartment; but it is on the empty space (within), that its use depends.

Lindauer Cutting doors and windows to have it act as a room The use of a room is in the presence of what is absent.

LinYutan Cut out doors and windows in the house (-wall), From their not-being (empty space) arises the utility of the house.

Mabry Doors and windows are cut to make a room, It is the empty spaces that we use.

McDonald We pierce and cut out doors and windows to make a house; and it's on these spaces where there's nothing that the usefulness of the house depends.

Merel Walls are built around a hearth; Because of the doors we may use the house.

Mitchell We hammer wood for a house, but it is the inner space that makes it livable.

Muller Cut doors and windows to make a room. It is because of its emptiness that the room is useful.

Red Pine windows and doors are carved for a house but it's the spaces that make a house work

Ta-Kao Doors and windows are cut out in the walls of a house, And because they are empty spaces, we are able to use them.

Walker To make a room, you have to cut doors and windows; without openings, a place isn't livable.

Wieger The imperceptible holes which make the doors and windows of a house, are its essentials.

World Wood is cut and joined to build a house. But the windows and doors which allow things to enter and leave make it useful.

Wu We make doors and windows for a room; But it is these empty spaces that make the room livable.

Ch. 11 Sentence 4

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

Blackney So advantage is had From whatever is there; But usefulness rises From whatever is not.

Bynner Thus we are helped by what is not to use what is.

Byrn We work with the substantial, but the emptiness is what we use.

Chan Therefore turn being into advantage, and turn non-being into utility.

Cleary Therefore being is for benefit, nonbeing is for usefulness.

Crowley Matter is therefore of use only to make the limits of the Space which is the thing of real value.

Hansen So where we deem having it as beneficial. We deem use to consist in lacking it.

LaFargue Yes: 'Being' makes for profit 'Nothing' makes for use fulness.

Legge Therefore, what has a (positive) existence serves for profitable adaptation, and what has not that for (actual) usefulness.

Lindauer So Where there is presence beneficial actions happen Where there is absence useful actions happen.

LinYutan Therefore by the existence of things we profit. And by the non-existence of things we are served.

Mabry Therefore, existence is what we have, But non-existence is what we use.

McDonald Take advantage of what is, turn existing into a great advantage: just make as much as you can out of it here. Feel free to recognise the possible usefulness of what's not yet here. Prosper by clever use of something not yet.

Merel Thus tools come from what exists, But use from what does not.

Mitchell We work with being, but non-being is what we use.

Muller Therefore, what is present is used for profit. But it is in absence that there is usefulness.

Red Pine existence makes something useful but nonexistence makes it work

Ta-Kao Therefore, on the one hand we have the benefit of existence, and on the other, we make use of non-existence.

Walker To make use of what is here, you must make use of what is not

Wieger It is the imperceptible that produces effects and results.

World The potential utility resides in the tangible. But true usefulness is a manifestation of the intangible.

Wu Thus, while the tangible has advantages, It is the intangible that makes it useful.

Ch. 11	Sentence 2
Beck	Clay is molded into a vessel, but the usefulness of the vessel depends on the space where nothing exists.
Blackney	With a wall all around A clay bowl is moulded; But the use of the bowl Will depend on the part Of the bowl that is void.
Bynner	The use of clay in moulding pitchers Comes from the hollow of its absence;
Byrn	We mold clay into a pot, but it is the emptiness inside that makes the vessel useful.
Chan	Clay is moulded to form a utensil, But it is on its non-being that the utility of the utensil depends.
Cleary	When the potter's wheel makes a pot, the use of the pot is precisely where there is nothing.
Crowley	Clay is shaped to make vessels; but the contained space is what is useful.
Hansen	Throwing clay to deem:make a utensil; Where the nothing is, lies the utensil's use.
LaFargue	Knead clay to make a jar - in its 'nothing' lies the jar's usefulness.
Legge	Clay is fashioned into vessels; but it is on their empty hollowness, that their use depends.
Lindauer	Shaping clay, it happens to act as a vessel The use of a vessel is in the presence of what is absent
LinYutan	Mold clay into a vessel; From its not-being (in the vessel's hollow) Arises the utility of the vessel.
Mabry	Clay is molded into a pot, But it is the emptiness inside that makes it useful.
McDonald	We turn clay to make a vessel; but it's on the space where there's nothing that the usefulness of the vessel depends.
Merel	Clay is moulded into a vessel; Because of the hollow we may use the cup.
Mitchell	We shape clay into a pot, but it is the emptiness inside that holds whatever we want.
Muller	Clay is formed into a vessel. It is because of its emptiness that the vessel is useful.
Red Pine	pots are fashioned from clay but it's the hollow that make a pot work
Ta-Kao	Clay is moulded into vessels, And because of the space where nothing exists we are able to use them as vessels.
Walker	A vessel is moulded from solid clay; its inner emptiness makes it useful.
Wieger	Vessels are made of perceptible clay, but it is their imperceptible hollow that is useful.
World	Clay is shaped into a pot. But the inner space which receives whatever one puts into it makes it useful.
Wu	We make a vessel from a lump of clay; It is the empty space within the vessel that makes it useful.

Ch. 11	Sentence 3
Beck	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.
Blackney	Cut out windows and doors In the house as you build; But the use of the house Will depend on the space In the walls that is void.
Bynner	Doors, windows, in a house, Are used for their emptiness:
Byrn	We fashion wood for a house, but it is the emptiness inside that makes it livable.
Chan	Doors and windows are cut out to make a room, But it is on its non-being that the utility of the room depends.
Cleary	When you open the doors and windows for a room, it is where there is nothing that they are useful to the room.
Crowley
Hansen	Sculpting windows and doors to deem:make a room; Where the nothing is, lies the room's use.
LaFargue	Cut out doors and windows in making a house - in their 'nothing' lies the house's usefulness.
Legge	The door and windows are cut out (from the walls) to form an apartment; but it is on the empty space (within), that its use depends.
Lindauer	Cutting doors and windows to have it act as a room The use of a room is in the presence of what is absent.
LinYutan	Cut out doors and windows in the house (-wall), From their not-being (empty space) arises the utility of the house.
Mabry	Doors and windows are cut to make a room, It is the empty spaces that we use.
McDonald	We pierce and cut out doors and windows to make a house; and it's on these spaces where there's nothing that the usefulness of the house depends.
Merel	Walls are built around a hearth; Because of the doors we may use the house.
Mitchell	We hammer wood for a house, but it is the inner space that makes it livable.
Muller	Cut doors and windows to make a room. It is because of its emptiness that the room is useful.
Red Pine	windows and doors are carved for a house but it's the spaces that make a house work
Ta-Kao	Doors and windows are cut out in the walls of a house, And because they are empty spaces, we are able to use them.
Walker	To make a room, you have to cut doors and windows; without openings, a place isn't livable.
Wieger	The imperceptible holes which make the doors and windows of a house, are its essentials.
World	Wood is cut and joined to build a house. But the windows and doors which allow things to enter and leave make it useful.
Wu	We make doors and windows for a room; But it is these empty spaces that make the room livable.

Ch. 11	Sentence 4
Beck	Therefore take advantage of what exists, and use what does not exist.
Blackney	So advantage is had From whatever is there; But usefulness rises From whatever is not.
Bynner	Thus we are helped by what is not to use what is.
Byrn	We work with the substantial, but the emptiness is what we use.
Chan	Therefore turn being into advantage, and turn non-being into utility.
Cleary	Therefore being is for benefit, nonbeing is for usefulness.
Crowley	Matter is therefore of use only to make the limits of the Space which is the thing of real value.
Hansen	So where we deem having it as beneficial. We deem use to consist in lacking it.
LaFargue	Yes: 'Being' makes for profit 'Nothing' makes for use fulness.
Legge	Therefore, what has a (positive) existence serves for profitable adaptation, and what has not that for (actual) usefulness.
Lindauer	So Where there is presence beneficial actions happen Where there is absence useful actions happen.
LinYutan	Therefore by the existence of things we profit. And by the non-existence of things we are served.
Mabry	Therefore, existence is what we have, But non-existence is what we use.
McDonald	Take advantage of what is, turn existing into a great advantage: just make as much as you can out of it here. Feel free to recognise the possible usefulness of what's not yet here. Prosper by clever use of something not yet.
Merel	Thus tools come from what exists, But use from what does not.
Mitchell	We work with being, but non-being is what we use.
Muller	Therefore, what is present is used for profit. But it is in absence that there is usefulness.
Red Pine	existence makes something useful but nonexistence makes it work
Ta-Kao	Therefore, on the one hand we have the benefit of existence, and on the other, we make use of non-existence.
Walker	To make use of what is here, you must make use of what is not
Wieger	It is the imperceptible that produces effects and results.
World	The potential utility resides in the tangible. But true usefulness is a manifestation of the intangible.
Wu	Thus, while the tangible has advantages, It is the intangible that makes it useful.