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ONE IDIOM AT A TIME (11) 自相矛盾 zìxiāngmáodùn

Jan 3, 2024

A young man ran a business in the market.

 

One day, he held up a shield and said proudly: “My shield is very strong.

 

It can stop any spear in the world.” Then he held up his spear and bragged: “My spear is very sharp. No matter how strong a shield is, my spear can pierce it.”

 

People all around here laughed when they heard the words of the young man.

 

One of them asked: “So, according to what you said, your spear is the sharpest. No matter how strong a shield is, your spear can pierce it. And your shield is also the strongest.

 

No matter how sharp a spear is, it can’t pierce your shield. Well, what will happen if I pierce your shield with your spear?"

 

The young man was too embarrassed to say anything.

 

古时候,有一个人,他既卖矛又卖盾。一天,他在集市上叫卖,非常得意。他举起他的盾说:“我的盾非常坚固。无论怎样好的矛,都戳不穿它!”说完,他又举起他的矛夸口说:“我的矛非常锋利。无论怎样坚固的盾都能戳进去!”

 

站在旁边的人听了,都暗暗地发笑。

 

有人问他:“照你这样说,你的矛是最锋利的。无论怎样硬的盾都戳得进去。你的盾又是最坚固的。无论怎样锋利的矛,也别想戳进去。

 

那么,现在我用你的矛来戳你的盾,看看结果会怎样呢?”

那个人窘得连一句话也答不上来。

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