Literal Translation: To set the spear and shield against oneself simultaneously.
Meaning: To say or do something to contradict oneself.
矛矛 和和 盾盾 都都 是是 古代古代 作战作战 时时 用用 的的 兵器兵器 。 矛矛 ， 是是 用用 来来 刺杀刺杀 敌人敌人 的的 。 盾盾 ， 是是 用用 来来 遮遮 挡挡 住住 身体身体 ， 防止防止 被被 敌人敌人 刺伤刺伤 的的 。 传说传说 ， 从前从前 有有 个个 专专 做做 矛矛 和和 盾盾 生意生意 的的 人人 。 为了为了 让让 人们人们 都都 乐意乐意 买买 他他 的的 货货 ， 就就 大肆大肆 进行进行 宣传宣传 。 他他 举起举起 盾盾 ， 使使 劲劲 吆吆 喝喝 起来起来 ： “各位各位 都都 来看来看 哪哪 ， 这这 是是 举举 世世 闻名闻名 的的 盾盾 ， 坚硬坚硬 无比无比 ， 世界世界 上上 最最 锋利锋利 的的 矛矛 也也 休休 想想 把把 它它 刺刺 穿穿 。” 过过 路路 的的 人人 听听 了了 ， 果然果然 都都 围围 了了 过来过来 ， 纷纷纷纷 来看来看 他他 的的 盾盾 。 这这 生意生意 人人 见见 自己自己 的的 宣传宣传 很很 有效有效 果果 ， 得意得意 起来起来 ， 又又 操操 起起 他他 的的 矛矛 ， 比比 划划 着着 说说 ：“ 各位各位 再再 来看来看 看看 我的我的 矛矛 啊啊 ， 锋利锋利 无比无比 ， 不不 信信 ， 你你 就是就是 找找 来来 世界世界 上上 最最 坚固坚固 的的 盾盾 ， 也也 能能 将将 它它 一一 刺刺 就就 穿穿 。” 围围 观观 的的 人们人们 听听 出出 了了 生意生意 人人 的话的话 有有 破破 绽绽 ， 都都 笑笑 了了 起来起来 。 这个这个 生意生意 人人 呢呢 ， 根本根本 没没 察觉察觉 ， 还是还是 说说 得得 眉眉 飞飞 色色 舞舞 。 这这 时时 ， 一个一个 人人 分开分开 围围 观观 的的 众人众人 ， 不不 紧紧 不不 慢慢 走走 到到 生意生意 人人 面前面前 指指 著著 他他 的的 矛矛 和和 盾盾 说说 ：“ 照照 您您 的的 说说 法法 ， 你你 的的 矛矛 锋利锋利 无比无比 ， 可以可以 刺刺 穿穿 世界世界 上上 最最 坚固坚固 的的 盾盾 。 你你 的的 盾盾 呢呢 ， 又又 是是 世界世界 上上 最最 坚硬坚硬 的的 ， 任何任何 锋利锋利 的的 矛矛 它它 都都 能能 挡挡 住住 。 那么那么 ， 在在 你你 当当 著著 大家大家 的的 面面 用用 你你 的的 矛矛 来来 刺刺 你你 的的 盾盾 ， 不知不知 结果结果 会会 是是 怎么怎么 样样 呢呢 ？” 这个这个 生意生意 人人 一一 听听 ， 张张 口口 结结 舌舌 ， 一句一句 话话 也也 说说 不不 上来上来 ， 只好只好 匆匆匆匆 忙忙 忙忙 捡捡 起起 自己自己 的的 矛矛 和和 盾盾 ， 在在 众人众人 的的 嘲笑嘲笑 声声 中中 溜走溜走 了了 。
后来后来 ， 人们人们 由此由此 引出引出 自自 相相 矛盾矛盾 这这 句句 成语成语 。 比喻比喻 言语言语 ， 行动行动 前后前后 互相互相 对立对立 ， 不能不能 自自 圆圆 其其 说说 ， 自己自己 打打 自己自己 的的 嘴巴嘴巴 。
/ spear / lance / pike /
/ and / together with / with / peace / harmony / union /
/ shield /
/ all / both (if two things are involved) / entirely (due to)each / even / already /
/ is / are / am / yes / to be /
/ ancient times / olden times /
/ conduct (military operations) /
/ time / period /
/ to use /
/ (possessive, modifying, or descriptive particle) / of /
/ weaponry / weapons / arms /
/ spear / lance / pike /
/ is / are / am / yes / to be /
/ to use /
/ to come /
/ assassinate /
/ enemy /
/ (possessive, modifying, or descriptive particle) / of /
/ shield /
/ is / are / am / yes / to be /
/ to use /
/ to come /
/ cover up (a shortcoming) / screen off / to hide / to conceal /
/ hinder / resist / obstruct / hinder / cover / keep off / a cover / to block (a blow) / to get in the way of /
/ to live / to dwell / to reside / to stop /
/ (human) body / health /
/ to prevent / to guard against / to take precautions /
/ by (marker for passive-voice sentences or clauses) / quilt / blanket / to cover / to wear /
/ enemy /
/ stab / puncture (wound) /
/ (possessive, modifying, or descriptive particle) / of /
/ it is said / they say / legend / tradition / legend / tradition /
/ previously / formerly /
/ to have / there is / there are / to exist / to be /
/ (a measure word) / individual /
/ for a particular person, occasion, purpose / focused on one thing / special / expert / particular (to sth) / concentrated / specialized /
/ to do / to make / to produce /
/ spear / lance / pike /
/ and / together with / with / peace / harmony / union /
/ shield /
/ business /
/ (possessive, modifying, or descriptive particle) / of /
/ man / person / people /
/ in order to / for the purpose of / so as to /
/ to ask / to let / permit / have (someone do something) / to yield / to allow /
/ people /
/ all / both (if two things are involved) / entirely (due to)each / even / already /
/ (v)be happy to do sth / (adj) happy; satisfied /
/ buy /
/ he / him /
/ (possessive, modifying, or descriptive particle) / of /
/ goods / money / commodity /
/ at once / then / right away / only / (emphasis) / to approach / to move towards / to undertake /
/ (adv) wantonly; without any constraint /
/ to advance / to conduct / underway / in progress / to do / to carry out / to carry on / to conduct / to execute /
/ publicize /
/ he / him /
/ heave / lift / uphold /
/ shield /
/ to make / to cause / to enable / to use / to employ / messenger /
/ strength /
/ shout /
/ my goodness / to drink /
/ beginning or continuing an action / upward movement / stand up /
/ everybody (a term of address) /
/ all / both (if two things are involved) / entirely (due to)each / even / already /
/ (v) interpret a topic from a certain point of view /
/ how / which /
/ this / these /
/ is / are / am / yes / to be /
/ to lift / to hold up / to cite / to enumerate / to act / to raise / to choose / to elect /
/ life / age / generation / era / world / lifetime /
/ well-known / famous / renowned / eminent /
/ (possessive, modifying, or descriptive particle) / of /
/ shield /
/ hard / solid /
/ matchless /
/ world /
/ on / up / on top / upon / first (of two parts) / previous or last (week, etc.) / upper / higher / above / previous / to climb / to go into / above / to go up /
/ (the) most / -est /
/ (adj) sharp (i.e. a knife blade) / (adj) incisive; to the point /
/ (possessive, modifying, or descriptive particle) / of /
/ spear / lance / pike /
/ also / too /
/ to rest /
/ to think / to believe / to suppose / to wish / to want / to miss /
/ (a measure word) / (marker for direct-object) / to hold / to contain / to grasp / to take hold of /
/ it (used for things) /
/ thorn / sting / prick / pierce / stab / thrust / assassinate / murder /
/ to bore through / pierce / perforate / penetrate / pass through / to dress / to wear / to put on / to thread /
/ (experienced action marker) / to cross / to go over / to pass (time) / to celebrate (a holiday) / to live / to get along / (surname) / excessively / too- /
/ (surname) / road / path / way /
/ (possessive, modifying, or descriptive particle) / of /
/ man / person / people /
/ listen / hear / obey /
/ (modal particle intensifying preceding clause) / (completed action marker) /
/ really / sure enough / as expected /
/ all / both (if two things are involved) / entirely (due to)each / even / already /
/ to circle / to surround /
/ (modal particle intensifying preceding clause) / (completed action marker) /
/ to manage / to handle / to be able to take care of /
/ one after another / in succession / one by one /
/ (v) interpret a topic from a certain point of view /
/ he / him /
/ (possessive, modifying, or descriptive particle) / of /
/ shield /
/ this / these /
/ business /
/ man / person / people /
/ to see / to meet / to appear (to be sth) / to interview /
/ self / (reflexive pronoun) / own /
/ (possessive, modifying, or descriptive particle) / of /
/ publicize /
/ very / rather / quite /
/ effective / in effect / valid /
/ fruit / result /
/ (be) proud of oneself / pleased with oneself / complacent /
/ beginning or continuing an action / upward movement / stand up /
/ (once) again / also / both... and... / again /
/ to hold / to drill / to exercise / to act / to do / to take in hand / to keep / to manage /
/ to rise / to raise / to get up /
/ he / him /
/ (possessive, modifying, or descriptive particle) / of /
/ spear / lance / pike /
/ (particle used for comparison and "-er than") / to compare / to contrast / to gesture (with hands) / ratio /
/ to row /
/ catch / receive / suffer /
/ persuade (politically) /
/ everybody (a term of address) /
/ again / once more / next in sequence / another /
/ (v) interpret a topic from a certain point of view /
/ to look after / to take care of / to watch / to guard /
/ my / mine /
/ spear / lance / pike /
/ (interj.) / ah /
/ (adj) sharp (i.e. a knife blade) / (adj) incisive; to the point /
/ matchless /
/ (negative prefix) / not / no /
/ letter / true / to believe / sign / evidence /
/ you /
/ (emphasizes that something is precisely or exactly what is stated) / precisely / exactly / even / if / just like / in the same way as /
/ to try to find / to look for / to call on (sb) / to find / to seek / to return / to look for /
/ to come /
/ world /
/ on / up / on top / upon / first (of two parts) / previous or last (week, etc.) / upper / higher / above / previous / to climb / to go into / above / to go up /
/ (the) most / -est /
/ firm / firmly / hard / stable /
/ (possessive, modifying, or descriptive particle) / of /
/ shield /
/ also / too /
/ can / may / capable / energy / able /
/ (will, shall, "future tense") / ready / prepared / to get / to use /
/ it (used for things) /
/ one / 1 / single / a / an / entire /
/ thorn / sting / prick / pierce / stab / thrust / assassinate / murder /
/ at once / then / right away / only / (emphasis) / to approach / to move towards / to undertake /
/ to bore through / pierce / perforate / penetrate / pass through / to dress / to wear / to put on / to thread /
/ to circle / to surround /
/ to look at / to watch / to observe / to behold /
/ (possessive, modifying, or descriptive particle) / of /
/ people /
/ listen / hear / obey /
/ to go out / to come out / to occur / to produce / to go beyond / to rise / to put forth / to occur / to happen / (a measure word for dramas, plays, or operas) /
/ (modal particle intensifying preceding clause) / (completed action marker) /
/ business /
/ man / person / people /
/ if /
/ to have / there is / there are / to exist / to be /
/ to break / to split / broken / damaged / worn out /
/ ripped seam /
/ all / both (if two things are involved) / entirely (due to)each / even / already /
/ laugh / smile /
/ (modal particle intensifying preceding clause) / (completed action marker) /
/ beginning or continuing an action / upward movement / stand up /
/ this /
/ business /
/ man / person / people /
/ (question particle) /
/ (not) at all / simply / fundamental / basic / root /
/ (negative prefix for verbs) / have not / not /
/ aware / conscious /
/ or / still / nevertheless /
/ persuade (politically) /
/ obtain / get / gain / proper / suitable / proud / contented / allow / permit / ready / finished /
/ eyebrow / upper margin /
/ to fly /
/ color / look / appearance /
/ to dance / to wield / to brandish /
/ this / these /
/ time / period /
/ a / an /
/ man / person / people /
/ to separate / to part /
/ to circle / to surround /
/ to look at / to watch / to observe / to behold /
/ (possessive, modifying, or descriptive particle) / of /
/ (n) everyone /
/ (negative prefix) / not / no /
/ tight / nervous / strict /
/ (negative prefix) / not / no /
/ slow /
/ to walk / to go / to move / to leave /
/ to (a place) / until (a time) / up to / to go / to arrive /
/ business /
/ man / person / people /
/ in front of / facing / presence /
/ finger / to point / to direct / to indicate /
/ catch / receive / suffer /
/ he / him /
/ (possessive, modifying, or descriptive particle) / of /
/ spear / lance / pike /
/ and / together with / with / peace / harmony / union /
/ shield /
/ persuade (politically) /
/ according to / in accordance with / to shine / to illuminate / to reflect / photograph /
/ you (formal) /
/ (possessive, modifying, or descriptive particle) / of /
/ persuade (politically) /
/ law / method / way / Buddhist teaching / Legalist / France (abbrev.) /
/ you /
/ (possessive, modifying, or descriptive particle) / of /
/ spear / lance / pike /
/ (adj) sharp (i.e. a knife blade) / (adj) incisive; to the point /
/ matchless /
/ can / may / possible / able to /
/ thorn / sting / prick / pierce / stab / thrust / assassinate / murder /
/ to bore through / pierce / perforate / penetrate / pass through / to dress / to wear / to put on / to thread /
/ world /
/ on / up / on top / upon / first (of two parts) / previous or last (week, etc.) / upper / higher / above / previous / to climb / to go into / above / to go up /
/ (the) most / -est /
/ firm / firmly / hard / stable /
/ (possessive, modifying, or descriptive particle) / of /
/ shield /
/ you /
/ (possessive, modifying, or descriptive particle) / of /
/ shield /
/ (question particle) /
/ (once) again / also / both... and... / again /
/ is / are / am / yes / to be /
/ world /
/ on / up / on top / upon / first (of two parts) / previous or last (week, etc.) / upper / higher / above / previous / to climb / to go into / above / to go up /
/ (the) most / -est /
/ hard / solid /
/ (possessive, modifying, or descriptive particle) / of /
/ any / whatever / whichever / whatsoever /
/ (adj) sharp (i.e. a knife blade) / (adj) incisive; to the point /
/ (possessive, modifying, or descriptive particle) / of /
/ spear / lance / pike /
/ it (used for things) /
/ all / both (if two things are involved) / entirely (due to)each / even / already /
/ can / may / capable / energy / able /
/ hinder / resist / obstruct / hinder / cover / keep off / a cover / to block (a blow) / to get in the way of /
/ to live / to dwell / to reside / to stop /
/ like that / in that way / or so / so / so very much / about / in that case /
/ (located) at / in / exist / (before verbs) immediately involved in / right in the middle of doing /
/ you /
/ to be / to act as / to hold a position (in space, time, or organizational space) / manage / withstand / when / during / ought / should / match equally / equal / same / obstruct / just at (a time or place) / on the spot / right / just at /
/ catch / receive / suffer /
/ authority / everyone /
/ (possessive, modifying, or descriptive particle) / of /
/ fade / side / surface / aspect / top / face / flour / noodles /
/ to use /
/ you /
/ (possessive, modifying, or descriptive particle) / of /
/ spear / lance / pike /
/ to come /
/ thorn / sting / prick / pierce / stab / thrust / assassinate / murder /
/ you /
/ (possessive, modifying, or descriptive particle) / of /
/ shield /
/ unknowing(ly) /
/ outcome / result /
/ be able to / be likely to / to assemble / to meet / to gather / group / association /
/ is / are / am / yes / to be /
/ how? / what? / why? /
/ manner / pattern / way / appearance / shape /
/ (question particle) /
/ this /
/ business /
/ man / person / people /
/ one / 1 / single / a / an / entire /
/ listen / hear / obey /
/ (a measure word) / (a surname) / open up /
/ mouth / (a measure word) /
/ knot / sturdy / to bear (fruit) / bond / to tie / to bind /
/ tongue /
/ a line of verse / a sentence /
/ dialect / language / spoken words / speech / talk / words / conversation / what someone said /
/ also / too /
/ persuade (politically) /
/ (negative prefix) / not / no /
/ (v) come up / (v) approach / used after verb to indicate success /
/ to have to / to be forced to /
/ hurriedly /
/ busy /
/ busy /
/ pick up / collect / gather /
/ to rise / to raise / to get up /
/ self / (reflexive pronoun) / own /
/ (possessive, modifying, or descriptive particle) / of /
/ spear / lance / pike /
/ and / together with / with / peace / harmony / union /
/ shield /
/ (located) at / in / exist / (before verbs) immediately involved in / right in the middle of doing /
/ (n) everyone /
/ (possessive, modifying, or descriptive particle) / of /
/ jeer / mockery / scoff / sneer / make fun of / laugh at (derogatory) /
/ sound / voice / (a measure word, used for sounds) / tone / noise /
/ within / among / in / middle / center / while (doing sth) / during / China / Chinese /
/ slip /
/ (modal particle intensifying preceding clause) / (completed action marker) /
后来
/ afterwards / later /
/ people /
/ (adv) hereby / from this /
/ extract /
/ from / self / oneself / since /
/ each other / one another / mutually /
/ contradictory / contradiction /
/ this / these /
/ (a measure word, for sentences or lines of verse) / sentence /
/ proverb / idiom /
/ metaphor / analogy / figure of speech /
/ speech / talk /
/ operation / action / to move / mobile /
/ around / about / from beginning to end /
/ each other / mutually / mutual /
/ oppose / set sth. against / be antagonistic to / antithetical / relative opposite / opposing / diametrical /
/ cannot / must not / should not /
/ from / self / oneself / since /
/ circle / round / circular / spherical / (of the moon) full / unit of Chinese currency (Yuan) / tactful / to justify /
/ his / her / its / theirs / that / such / it (refers to sth preceding it) /
/ persuade (politically) /
/ self / (reflexive pronoun) / own /
/ dozen /
/ self / (reflexive pronoun) / own /
/ (possessive, modifying, or descriptive particle) / of /
/ mouth /
Translation:
The spear and shield are weapons used in warfare in the ancient times. The spear is used to slay enemies. The shield is used to cover the body, thus preventing one from being killed by the enemy. Legend had it that there was once a person who used to specialize in making spears and shields for a living. In order to have people willingly buy his commodities, he started to advertise aggressively. He lifted up his shield, exerting all his strength, he shouted, "Everyone, come and take a look, this is a world-renowned shield, nothing can match its durability, even the most razor-sharp spear in the world cannot manage to pierce through it." Surely enough, people passing by heard this and came to gather around him, successively looking at his shield. When the seller saw that his advertising had been very effective in producing results, he was pleased, holding up his spear and gesturing, he said, "Everyone, come and take a look at my spear, nothing can match its sharpness, if you don't believe me, go and find the most durable shield in the world, I guarantee that it will be pierced through right away." The people in the crowd noticed that the seller's speech had some flaws, so they all started laughing. The seller did not notice and with a happy expression on his face, he continued to talk. At this moment, a person parted through the crowd and casually walked up to the seller, pointing to his spear and shield, he said, "According to what you have just said, nothing can match your spear's sharpness, it can pierce through the strongest shield in the world. And your shield, it is the world's strongest, it can stop any spear. Then, in front of everybody, if you use your spear to pierce your shield, what will the result be?" Upon hearing this, the seller was tongue-tied and speechless, he could not give a single reply but gathered up his spear and shield in a hurry and slipped away in midst of jeers from the crowd.
Later, people came up with the "Contradicting Oneself" idiom from this tale. It is meant to describe speech or actions that are mutually opposed to each other from beginning to end, being unable to reconcile them, thus putting (one's) foot in (one's) mouth.
自相矛盾-中文翻译英文
Translated from Chinese to English by HM68.COM
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