1、成语故事两则Contradicting Oneself(自相矛盾)In ancient times,there was a man who sold spears(矛)and shields(盾;防护物).He used to boast,“My spears are the sharpest in the world.They can penetrate(刺穿,穿透)anything.”A moment later he wouldboast,“My shields are the toughest in the world.Nothing canpenetrate them.”Just t
2、hen,a passer-by asked him,“What wouldhappen if you threw one of your spears at one of your shields?”Hecould not give a reply.This idiom,“contradicting oneself”and the noun“contradiction(矛盾)”,both came from the above story.Discussing Strategy on Paper(纸上谈兵)In the Warring States Period,the State of Zh
3、ao had a famous generalcalled Zhao She.His son,Zhao Kuo was very fond of reading books onmilitary science and discussing strategy(战略学).He could recitemilitary texts by heart,and when discussing warfare(战争)he spokeso clearly and logically that it seemed that even his father was nothis match.When the
4、State of Qin attacked the State of Zhao,theruler of Zhao ordered Zhao Kuo to lead 400,000 men to resist Qintroops.But since Zhao Kuo had no practical experience of battle,hewas defeated and lost his life.Later people used this idiom to describe those who are good only attheory but lack practical experience.郭芙供稿
