Chinese Idioms Learning (21)

Chinese Idioms Learning (21)
Jan 11, 2008 02:56
ZOEY Points: Join Date: Nov 29, 2004 Status: offline	No.1 自相矛盾 (Zi 4 Xiang 1 Mao 2 Dun 4). It means “Be self-contradictory or contradict oneself.” Story: In the ancient state of Chu, there was a man who decided to sell his spear and shield. When he came to the market, he shouted loudly that his shield was the sturdiest in the world and no spear could pierce his shield. Then he took up a spear and said that it was the sharpest in the world and it could pierce any shield. At that moment, a man came over and asked:” What if I use your sharpest spear to pierce your sturdiest shield?” He said nothing but kept silent and walked away with his spear and shield.

Jan 11, 2008 02:56

ZOEY
Points:
Join Date: Nov 29, 2004
Status: offline

No.1 自相矛盾 (Zi 4 Xiang 1 Mao 2 Dun 4). It means “Be self-contradictory or contradict oneself.”

Story:

In the ancient state of Chu, there was a man who decided to sell his spear and shield. When he came to the market, he shouted loudly that his shield was the sturdiest in the world and no spear could pierce his shield. Then he took up a spear and said that it was the sharpest in the world and it could pierce any shield. At that moment, a man came over and asked:” What if I use your sharpest spear to pierce your sturdiest shield?” He said nothing but kept silent and walked away with his spear and shield.

Jan 11, 2008 02:57

ZOEY
Points:
Join Date: Nov 29, 2004
Status: Offline

No.2 买椟还珠 (Mai 3 Du 2 Huan 2 Zhu 1). It refers to “keep the glittering casket and give back the pearl--- show lack of judgment or make the wrong choice.”

Story: Once upon a time, there was a businessman who possessed a precious pearl. For some reason, he decided to sell his pearl. In order to sell it at a good price, he decided to decorate his pearl. Thus, he bought a sandalwood casket and invited a craftsman to engrave some beautiful patterns on the casket. Then, he put his pearl in the casket with some spice. In the market, many people crowed around him to appreciate his beautiful casket. After a while, a man from the state of Zheng came over and saw that casket. After watching it for a while, the man decided to buy it at a very high price. The man paid for the casket and left. After a while, he came back again. The business thought that he regretted and wanted to get his money back. To his surprise, the man took out the pearl and gave it back to him and said that he left a pearl in the casket. After returning the pearl, the man left.

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