A young man walks through the forest. He comes to a bridge. In front of the bridge is a large man carrying an axe. The man says, "If you want to cross this bridge, you must tell me a statement. If I think the statement is true, you will be strangled to death. If I say the statement is false, your head will be chopped off." A few minutes later, the young man walked over the bridge, while the larger man stood pondering. What was the statement the young man had given?

“I am not afraid of you.”

This statement does not create a paradox for the larger man. If he believes the statement, the young man would still be in danger and would not cross the bridge.

“I will cross the bridge.”

This statement is straightforward and does not challenge the larger man's logic. If the man thinks it's true, the young man would be strangled, and if false, he would still face a consequence.

“You are a big man.”

While this statement may be true, it does not create a situation that affects the man's decision about the young man's fate. It lacks the necessary paradox to allow the young man to cross safely.