Contradictory idiom stories

Contradiction tells the story of a man selling spears and shields, boasting, being exposed by others and leaving in disgrace.

There is a man who sells weapons in Chu State. He went to the market to sell spears and shields. Many people came to see me, so he raised his shield and praised my shield as the strongest in the world. Then I picked up a spear and boasted that my spear was the sharpest in the world. He was very proud, so he shouted: Come and see, come and buy, the strongest shield and the sharpest spear in the world are here.

At this moment, an audience stepped forward, picked up a spear and a shield and asked, What would happen if this spear was used to poke this shield? The onlookers were stunned at first, but suddenly burst into laughter and dispersed. The weapon seller left with his spear and shield.

The meaning of contradiction

This idiom reveals the contradiction of Confucian scholars' thinking. There can be no indestructible shield and spear in the world. The Chu people unilaterally exaggerated the role of spears and shields, resulting in a situation that could not be justified. Contradictory stories warn people to seek truth from facts, be appropriate, and never be philistine, exaggerated or boastful.

The businessman boasted and contradicted himself. As a result, he made a joke and broke his word. This dishonest attitude is not desirable. This idiom also tells people to seek truth from facts when speaking and doing things, and think twice before acting. Speak or do things consistently, so as not to be unable to justify yourself and be asked to be speechless.