# The usefulness of empty space: summary

Shows how empty spaces in a wheel, vessel or room make the object useful.

https://sakimyto.com/en/classics/laozi/chapter-11-the-usefulness-of-empty-space

## Source and summary

[Laozi · Dao De Jing · The usefulness of empty space](https://zh.wikisource.org/w/index.php?title=%E9%81%93%E5%BE%B7%E7%B6%93%20%28%E7%8E%8B%E5%BC%BC%E6%9C%AC%29&oldid=2354026#%E5%8D%81%E4%B8%80%E7%AB%A0)

> 三十輻共一轂，當其無，有車之用。

Shows how empty spaces in a wheel, vessel or room make the object useful.

## Editorial interpretation

The example below adapts this chapter’s questions to modern work. Evaluate it against the actual purpose and conditions; ancient politics, warfare or ethics do not establish business results.

## Business application

Before adding fields or steps, remove unnecessary choices and make essential actions easier to find.

1. Choose one relevant case and record its objective, available resources, verified facts and unknowns.
2. Compare options using this chapter’s perspective; choose a limited trial, owner, deadline and a measure to assess the result.

Deliverable: A comparison using the usefulness of empty space, with conditions for acting or declining.

## Limits

The summary selects main points rather than translating every sentence. The example is not a demonstrated business method; check it against stakeholders’ conditions and actual evidence.

## Validation question

How does this chapter’s perspective change the selected option or priority, and what further evidence could change the decision?

[Laozi: a guide to the Dao De Jing](https://sakimyto.com/en/classics/laozi)

[This material](https://sakimyto.com/classics-data/entries/laozi/chapter-11-the-usefulness-of-empty-space.en.md)

Updated: 2026-10-13 · v1.0.0