Question

#brain teaser
a man was found guilty of libel. the judge decreed that the man could determine his own fae by making a single statement.... if it were true he would be burnt at the stake, if it were false he would be thrown out to the sea. what did the clever man say which resulted him being freed?

Answer 1

He would say "I would be thrown at the sea"

If this statement was true then he would be burnt at the stake but as the statement is true he would be thrown at sea,which is a contradiction as he cannot be burnt at the stake if he is thrown at sea and if he is thrown at sea he cannot be burnt.

If this statement was false he would be thrown at sea but the statement reads"I would be thrown at the sea" so if this is false then he will not be thrown at sea.This is again a contradiction as he cannot be both thrown and not thrown at sea.

So the judge will not be able to punish him.If he do so then he will be breaking his decree.

Thanks for the wonderful question.

Hope you understand: )