PARADOX

Paradox in Literature
What is a Paradox?
• The word “Paradox” derives from the word
“Paradoxons”, meaning contrary to expectation.
• In literature, a paradox is a literary device that
contradict itself that contains a plausible Kernel of
truth.
• A literary paradox is a contradiction that resolves
to reveal a deeper meaning behind a contradiction.
Some common examples of
Paradox:
1.Less is more
2.Do the thing you think you cannot do
3.The beginning of the end
4.If you ddon’t risk anything, you risk everything
5.The pen is mightier than the sword
6.The more you give, the more you get
 TAO TE CHING
By Lao Tzu
Paradoxes

The highest virtue I not virtues. Therefore it haas virtue.

The lowest virtue holds on to virtue. Therefore it has no
virtue.
(Tao Te Cing chapter 38)
Paradoxes

The purest white seems stained

(Tao Te Cing chapter 41)

The grandest virtue seems deficient

(Tao Te Cing chapter 41)
Paradoxes

The sturdiest virtue seems fragile

(Tao Te Cing chapter 41)

The most fundamental seems fickle

(Tao Te Cing chapter 41)
Paradoxes

The perfect square lacks corners

(Tao Te Cing chapter 41)

The highest tone is hard to hear

(Tao Te Cing chapter 41)
Paradoxes

The great image lacks shape

(Tao Te Cing chapter 41)

Sometimes gain comes from losing, and sometimes loss

comes from gaining
(Tao Te Cing chapter 42)
Paradoxes

What has no substance can penetrate what hasno

opening
(Tao Te Cing chapter 43)

The most comlete seems lacking. Yet in use it is not

exhausted
(Tao Te Cing chapter 45)
Paradoxes

The most abundant seems empty. Yet in use it is not

drained.
(Tao Te Cing chapter 45)

The most straight seems curved

(Tao Te Cing chapter 45)

Paradoxes

The most able seems clumsy

(Tao Te Cing chapter 45)

The most eloquent seems to shutter

(Tao Te Cing chapter 45)
Paradoxes

Taste the tasteless

(Tao Te Cing chapter 63)

Make the small big and the few many

(Tao Te Cing chapter 63)