自相矛盾的故事中英文版翻译:

A young man ran a business in the market.

One day, he held up a shield and said proudly: “My shield is very strong.

It can stop any spear in the world.” Then he held up his spear and bragged: “My spear is very sharp. No matter how strong a shield is, my spear can pierce it.” 

People all around here laughed when they heard the words of the young man.

One of them asked: “So, according to what you said, your spear is the sharpest. No matter how strong a shield is, your spear can pierce it. And your shield is also the strongest.

No matter how sharp a spear is, it can’t pierce your shield. Well, what will happen if I pierce your shield with your spear?”

The young man was too embarrassed to say anything.

古时候，有一个人，他既卖矛又卖盾。一天，他在集市上叫卖，非常得意。他举起他的盾说：“我的盾非常坚固。无论怎样好的矛，都戳不穿它！”说完，他又举起他的矛夸口说：“我的矛非常锋利。无论怎样坚固的盾都能戳进去！”

站在旁边的人听了，都暗暗地发笑。

有人问他：“照你这样说，你的矛是最锋利的。无论怎样硬的盾都戳得进去。你的盾又是最坚固的。无论怎样锋利的矛，也别想戳进去。

那么，现在我用你的矛来戳你的盾，看看结果会怎样呢？”

那个人窘得连一句话也答不上来。

重点词汇及短语：

run a business经营生意，做买卖

shield 盾

spear 矛

brag 夸耀，吹牛

pierce 刺穿

embarrassed 尴尬的，窘迫的