When Your Spear and Your Shield Become Invincible

This classic paradox known as the irresistible force paradox has also been known as the shield versus the spear paradox. The inquiry derives from the supposed contradiction that occurs when two equally powerful forces confront one another. But is this an actual contradiction or is it possible for two incompatible premises to exist simultaneously?

 

An example of this paradox in non-western thought can be found in the origin of the Chinese word for contradiction (Chinese: 矛盾; pinyin: máodùn; lit. ‘spear-shield’). This term originates from a story (see Kanbun § Example) in the 3rd century BC philosophical book Han Feizi. In the story, a man was trying to sell a spear and a shield. When asked how good his spear was, he said that his spear could pierce any shield. Then, when asked how good his shield was, he said that it could defend from all spear attacks. Then one person asked him what would happen if he were to take his spear to strike his shield; the seller could not answer. This led to the idiom of “zìxīang máodùn” (自相矛盾, “from each-other spear shield”), or “self-contradictory”.

 

Another ancient and mythological example illustrating this theme can be found in the story of the Teumessian fox, which can never be caught, and the hound Laelaps, which never misses what it hunts. Realizing the paradox, Zeus, Lord of the Sky, turns both creatures into static constellations. 

 

But what if you were to possess and control both the immovable force and the unstoppable object, and could these forces co-exist to make you invincible?  Let’s use a concrete example to illustrate how this could work. Suppose you create in your mind an imaginary, immovable shield to protect your heart.  Now suppose you are unrelenting in striving to overcome an abusive relationship, in fact you are unstoppable.  In this case the immovable and the unstoppable are in sync.  When two powerful forces align they actually strengthen one another.

 

A resilient person intuitively or purposefully knows how to manipulate their powerful negative emotions, and particularly difficult ones to exist simultaneously with powerful positive emotions. When these strong opposites can co-exist then you are in control and that control is ultimate.  The trick is not to let one force overtake the other. When a devastating event blows up your life, feeling the pain completely does not preclude you from holding on to your gratitude for your  amazing life. 

 

I believe that the Chinese idiom “from-each-other spear shield” can be interpreted to mean that by co-existing the spear and the shield become one great powerhouse of strength. When you combat the difficult challenges in your life with strong positivity you will be on your way to being a resilient warrior.