-by Han Fei (Pre-Qin Period)
A man from the state of Chu was selling shields and spears.
Praising his shield, he said:
“My shield is so strong that nothing can pierce through it.”
Then he praised his spear:
“My spear is so sharp that it can pierce through anything.”
Someone asked:
“What if you use your spear to stab your shield?”
The man could not answer.
A shield that nothing can pierce and a spear that can pierce anything cannot exist at the same time.
Note
This is one of the most famous fables in ancient Chinese philosophy, recorded in the book Han Feizi. It describes a merchant who makes two impossible claims at the same time, leaving him unable to reply when challenged.
Han Fei
A leading philosopher of the Legalist school in the Pre-Qin era. He emphasized strict laws and logic, and often used simple stories to explain philosophical ideas.
State of Chu
One of the powerful states during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods in ancient China.
自相矛盾
楚人有鬻盾与矛者，誉之曰：“吾盾之坚，物莫能陷也。”又誉其矛曰：“吾矛之利，于物无不陷也。”或曰：“以子之矛陷子之盾，何如？”其人弗能应也。夫不可陷之盾与无不陷之矛，不可同世而立。
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