aphorism

American  

[af-uh-riz-uhm] / ˈæf əˌrɪz əm /

noun

1. a terse saying embodying a general truth, or astute observation, as “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely” (Lord Acton).

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aphorism British  

/ ˈæfəˌrɪzəm /

noun

1. a short pithy saying expressing a general truth; maxim

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aphorism Cultural  

1. A concise and often witty statement of wisdom or opinion, such as “Children should be seen and not heard,” or “People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.”

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Other Word Forms

• aphorismatic
  adjective
• aphorismic
  adjective
• aphorist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of aphorism

1520–30; French aphorisme < Late Latin aphorismus < Greek aphorismós definition, equivalent to aphor ( ízein ) to define ( see aphorize) + -ismos -ism

Explanation

Use the noun aphorism when you have something compact and astute to say, such as "People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones." An aphorism is a statement or saying that is both efficiently presented and either witty or wise. While there are loads of trite and silly statements, a good aphorism is supposed to stand the test of time and remain true and elegant — a very difficult task! Friedrich Schlegel even wrote an aphorism about aphorisms: "An aphorism ought to be entirely isolated from the surrounding world like a little work of art and complete in itself like a hedgehog."

Example Sentences

If we’re playing Aphorism Tag, I’ll throw this back at you: If you don’t stop growing, congratulations, you’re a cancer.

From Washington Post • Oct. 28, 2021

Though the last part of this Aphorism, he was thought to practice too soon, where there was no cause for prevention, and neglect too late, when time was full ripe to produce the effect.

From Characters from 17th Century Histories and Chronicles by Various

A considerable portion of lead must certainly have been added to the intellect of Bacon when he wrote this Aphorism.

From Introduction to the Philosophy and Writings of Plato by Taylor, Thomas

The healthy know not of their health, but only the sick: this is the Physician's Aphorism; and applicable in a far wider sense than he gives it.

From A Century of English Essays An Anthology Ranging from Caxton to R. L. Stevenson & the Writers of Our Own Time by Rhys, Ernest

In Aphorism 20 of "The Antichrist", he compares it exhaustively with Christianity, and the result of his investigation is very much in favour of the older religion.

From Thus Spake Zarathustra A book for all and none by Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm

Related Words

• adage
• axiom
• dictum
• maxim
• proverb