In ancient times, there was a man who sold spears as well as shields.

　　古时候，有一个人，他既卖矛又卖盾。

　　One day, he hawked his wares at the market and was very pleased with himself. He held up a shield and said: "My shield is very strong. No matter how sharp a spear is, it cannot pierce my shield."

　　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!”

　　After that, he held up his spear and bragged: "My spear is very sharp. No matter how strong a shield is, my spear can pierce it.

　　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!”

　　When the people standing by heard this, they laughed up their sleeves. One of them asked him:

　　站在旁边的人听了，都暗暗地发笑。有人问他:

　　"According to what you said, your spear is the sharpest. No matter how strong a shield is, your spear can pierce it. Your shield is also the strongest. No matter how sharp a spear is, it cannot pierce your shield. Now, if I poke your shield with your spear, what will be the result?"

　　“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?”

　　The man was so embarrassed that he could not utter a single word.

　　那个人窘得连一句话也答不上来。

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（实习编辑：高奕飞）