Idiom Story — 自相矛盾

During the Warring States period, there was a man from the state of Chu who sold weapons in the marketplace. Holding up a spear, he loudly proclaimed:

“My spear is extremely sharp—it can pierce through any shield!”

Then, he raised a shield and said:

“My shield is incredibly strong—nothing in the world can pierce it!”

At that moment, a clever passerby asked:

“What would happen if you used your spear to stab your own shield?”

The weapons seller was left speechless on the spot.

This story was recorded in Han Feizi and is used to mock people whose words or actions contradict each other. Later on, the idiom 自相矛盾 (zì xiāng máo dùn)—"to contradict oneself"—came to describe situations where someone’s statements or behaviors are inconsistent and in conflict.

Recap

  • Idiom: 自相矛盾
  • Pinyin: zì xiāng máo dùn
  • Literal meaning: One’s own spear and one’s own shield contradict each other.
  • Figurative meaning: To contradict oneself; describing a situation where someone’s words or actions are inconsistent or self-contradictory.

If this person were you, what would you do? Let’s meet in the comments!