English Original
A man from the state of Chu was selling a spear and a shield. He praised his shield, saying, "My shield is so strong that nothing can pierce it."
He then praised his spear, boasting, "My spear is so sharp that it can pierce through anything."
Someone then asked him, "What would happen if you used your spear to strike your shield?" The man was unable to answer.
It is impossible for an impenetrable shield to coexist with a spear that can pierce anything.
中文翻译
楚国有个卖矛和盾的人。他夸耀自己的盾说：“我的盾非常坚固，没有什么东西能刺穿它。”
接着他又夸耀自己的矛，吹嘘道：“我的矛非常锋利，能刺穿任何东西。”
于是有人问他：“如果用你的矛去刺你的盾，会怎么样呢？”那个人无法回答。
一个无法被刺穿的盾和一支能刺穿一切的矛，是不可能同时存在的。