自相矛盾 self-contradictory
Explanation
比喻自己说话做事前后抵触，前后矛盾。
It means that one's words or actions contradict each other.
Origin Story
战国时期，有个卖矛和盾的人，他夸耀自己的矛说："我的矛非常锋利，天下没有它刺不穿的东西！"又夸耀自己的盾说："我的盾非常坚固，天下没有东西能刺穿它！"这时，一个顾客问他："如果用你的矛去刺你的盾，结果会怎么样？"卖矛和盾的人顿时哑口无言，无法回答。这个故事后来就成了"自相矛盾"这个成语，用来比喻自己说话做事前后抵触，互相矛盾。 话说这卖矛盾的楚国人，本是老实巴交的农夫，因着家境贫寒，不得已才出来做这走街串巷的买卖。他为人老实，这矛和盾也都是上好的货色，可偏偏这夸口本领却是一塌糊涂。那天，他正叫卖得起劲，一个书生模样的客人走了过来，指着那矛和盾，问他这矛和盾到底哪个好。这农夫心想，这可是自己拿手的本领，便滔滔不绝地吹嘘起来。可谁知，这书生越听越觉得不对劲，最后反问了他一句，这矛和盾到底哪个好。这农夫顿时语塞，脸涨得通红，这才意识到自己说的话大相径庭，前后矛盾。他灰溜溜地收摊回了家，从此再也不吹牛了。
During the Warring States period, there was a man who sold spears and shields. He boasted about his spear, saying: "My spear is so sharp that nothing in the world can withstand it!" Then he boasted about his shield, saying: "My shield is so strong that nothing in the world can pierce it!" At this time, a customer asked him: "What will happen if you use your spear to pierce your shield?" The man who sold spears and shields was immediately speechless and unable to answer. This story later became the idiom "self-contradictory", used to describe the situation where one's words or actions contradict each other.
Usage
用来形容说话或做事前后不一致，自相矛盾。
It is used to describe the situation where one's words or actions are inconsistent and contradictory.
Examples
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他的说法前后矛盾，自相矛盾。
tā de shuōfǎ qiánhòu máodùn, zì xiāng máodùn
His statement is contradictory.
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这篇文章自相矛盾，逻辑不通。
zhè piān wénzhāng zì xiāng máodùn, luóji bùtōng
This article is self-contradictory and illogical.