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?
Common Wrong Answers
“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.
Similar Riddles
A man was to be sentenced and the judge told him you may make a statement. If you tell the truth I'll sentence you to 4 years, however, if you lie then I'll sen...
There are two doors and there is one guard for each door. One door leads to life and the other leads to death. You have only one question to ask and you can onl...
While exploring the wilds of Canada, George was captured by hostile wood fairies. Zion, the powerful chief of the fairies told him he could make one final state...
You came to a fork in the road. One path leads to your destination, the other to a cliff 200 km away. There are two people there standing next to a sign. One wh...