The Complete Work of Lao Tzu (Tao The Ching) – translation and elucidation by Hua-Ching Ni

Heaven is everlasting and Earth is perpetual.

Why so? Because they live without holding onto any consciousness of self

Therefore, they can endure forever.

One of universal nature is like water;

He benefits all things but does not contend with them

He unprotestingly takes the lowest position; thus, he is close to the universal truth.

Thirty spokes together make a wheel for a cart.

    It is the empty space in the center which enables it to be used.

Mold clay into a vessel;

    It is the emptiness within that creates the usefulness of the vessel.

Cut out doors and windows in a house;

    It is the empty space inside that creates the usefulness of the house.

Thus, what we have may be something substantial,

    But its usefulness lies in the unoccupied, empty space.