A paradox is a logically self-contradictory statement that has some apparent validity.  Was that hard to follow?  Let’s try a few examples:

“A flying arrow never reaches its target.” 

False—many arrows reach their target.  But also true—the arrow that reaches its target is not a flying arrow.

Or how about, “This sentence is false.”  If it is true, then the sentence is false.  If it is false, then the sentence is true.  Get it?

I imagine you may think this is all just a bit of nonsense.  Silly word games, right?

Well, G.K. Chesterton was known as the Prince of Paradox, and he wrote a few that weren’t so silly, like:

“It takes a big man to know how small he is.”

Or, “Courage…means a strong desire to live taking the form of a readiness to die.”

Chesterton’s fondness of Paradox was a foundation of his faith, for Jesus, also, spoke often in paradox: “The last shall be first, and the first shall be last,” or “he who humbles himself shall be exalted,” or “whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

My question for you today is this: Is a paradox true or false? And is that even the right question?

Have a wonderful day.