古时候,矛和盾都是作战用的武器。矛用来刺杀敌人,盾则用来保护身体,以免被对方的矛刺中。
传说很久以前,楚国有个卖兵器的人,在市场上卖矛和盾。为了让人家愿意买他的货,他先举起盾向人们夸口道:“你们看,我的盾是世上最坚固的盾,任何锋利的东西都不能刺穿它。”接着又举起他的矛,向人吹嘘说:“你们再看看我的矛,它锋利无比,无坚不摧,无论多么坚硬的盾,都挡不住它,一刺就穿!”
围观的人听了他的话都觉得很好笑,人群中有人问道:“依你的说法,你的矛无论怎样坚硬的盾都能刺穿,而你的盾又是无论多么锋利的矛也不能把它刺穿。那就拿你的矛来刺你的盾吧,看看结果怎么样?”
卖兵器的人听了张口结舌,无从回答,只好拿着矛和盾走了。
“自相矛盾”就是由这个故事演变而来的。现在人们用它来比喻做事、说话前后自相抵触。
A man of the state of Chu had a spear and a shield for sale. He was loud in praises of his shield.
"My shield is so strong that nothing can pierce it through."
He also sang praises of his spear.
"My spear is so strong that it can pierce through anything."
"What would happen," he was asked, "if your spear is used to pierce your shield?"
It is impossible for an impenetrable shield to coexist with a spear that finds nothing impenetrable.