His Spear Against His Shield (Zi Xiang Mao dun)
A man of the state of Chu had a spear and a shield for sale. He was loud in praises of his shield.
"My shield is so strong that nothing can pierce it through."
He also sang praises of his spear.
"My spear is so strong that it can pierce through anything."
"What would happen," he was asked, "if your spear is used to pierce your shield?"
It is impossible for an impenetrable shield to coexist with a spear that finds nothing impenetrable.
The Man Who Sold Spears and Shields
In the State of Chu lived a man who sold shields and spears.
" My shields are so strong, "he hoasted, "that nothing can oierce them. My spears are so sharp that there is nothing they cannot spierce."
"What if one of your spears strikes one of your shields?" someone
asked him.
The man had no answer to that.