lumberjim -- I bow to your superior wisdom.

...
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.
...

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

I know there are two season in Chicago. Winter and construction.

I know half and half taste better than skim milk in my coffee.

I know I will be come irritated if I talk about religion with my mother.

I know I am smarter than almost everyone I meet in my daily life
I know everyone I meet is happier and/ or more successful than me
I know I have to make big changes

I know that I'm always late for work

(they know it to)

It's from The Way
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.

which, when taken in context of our earlier reparte, is very subtley saying that you think yourself wiser than I. well played. you just may be, at that.

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

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.

They made up their minds
And they started packing
They left before the sun came up that day
An exit to eternal summer slacking
But where were they going without ever knowing the way?
They drank up the wine
And they got to talking
They now had more important things to say
And when the car broke down they started walking
Where were they going without ever knowing the way?

I know that no matter how obvious you make an insult, some people just dont get it.....what I dont know is, if that is sad or seriously amusing.

I shall now call you 'humblerjim.'

i love that song

Jim, reel that big red tongue back in before Joan Rivers thinks Oscar Night came early this year and rushes onto the red carpet! Stiletto heels... owie...:p :eek: :thepain: