learn chinese in hong kong -Self-Contradiction

Mandarin Lesson

Once upon a time, there was a businessman in Chu Kingdom. One day, he sold his spear and shield in the market. He told people, “My spear is the sharpest spear in the world. It can pierce everything. And my shield is the solidest in the world. Nothing can destroy it.” Then somebody asked him, “If we use your spear to pierce your shield, what will happen?” The businessman didn’t know how to reply.

Be self-contradictory both in words and behaviour.

自相矛盾
很久很久以前,楚國有一個商人,一天他到市場上去賣自己製造的矛和盾。他大聲的叫賣,有很多人圍過來看,他舉起盾說:“我的盾是世界上最堅固的,無論怎樣鋒利的東西也不能刺穿它!” 接著,他又拿起一支矛,得意地說:“我的矛是世界上最鋒利的,無論怎樣堅固的東西也能刺穿!”這時一位圍觀的人上前拿起他的一支矛和一面盾問道:“如果用這支矛去刺這面盾,結果會怎樣呢?” 這個人一下子回答不出來,最後只好灰溜溜地扛著矛和盾走了。
 
“自相矛盾”這個成語比喻語言、行動前後不一致或互相抵觸。