Why is "the swiftest traveler is he that goes afoot" a paradox?

Question

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Answer 1

A paradox is something which contradicts itself.

You can see here that the writer contradicts himself, saying that the fastest traveler is someone who is on foot - as compared to the other forms of transportation (which are definitely faster than walking of running, etc.).

However, the real meaning of this might be related to the ambiguity of messages. Perhaps the writer is trying to say that the most sure way to deliver a message or to get something done is by doing it yourself. It is by this that one can be sure that the message is not going to be delayed or altered as it is being relayed. Or something like that.

Answer 2

Obviously foot travel is slower than about any other transportation that is possible: slower than car, train, airplane, pogostick, whatever.

But I'm not sure why the writer is claiming that foot is the swiftest. Perhaps the person is more in tune with details of passage, the small things. Context here is the key as to what the writer means.

Answer 3

Yeah. It's a paradox because it stating something that does not appear to make sense - normally the person on foot will take the longest time. BUT. If you consider all the mechanical aids to transport and what can go wrong with them, or how city streets can get gridlocked, or vehicles break down, maybe it starts to make a bit more sense.

Hope this helps.