What is a pithy aphorism?

Described in the Concise Oxford Dictionary as ‘a short pithy maxim’ or ‘a brief statement of a principle’, an aphorism is an attempt to condense all of life’s mystery into a pure, gemlike line. ‘Epigrams succeed where epics fail,’ according to a Persian proverb.

Who wrote aphorisms?

Other important early aphorists were Baltasar Gracián, François de La Rochefoucauld and Blaise Pascal. Two influential collections of aphorisms published in the twentieth century were The Uncombed Thoughts by Stanisław Jerzy Lec (in Polish), and Itch of Wisdom by Mikhail Turovsky (in Russian and English).

How do you come up with an aphorism?

In order to be a true aphorism rather than a truism or cliché, an aphorism has to contain a new, thought-provoking idea, and those are difficult to come up with on your own! In addition, aphorisms have to make a complicated point in a very short space of time, so a good metaphor is invaluable in writing aphorisms.

What are some examples of aphorism?

Aphorisms for People

  • Actions speak louder than words.
  • All for one and one for all.
  • Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes.
  • Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.
  • Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.

What is aphorism example?

Aphorisms are often used to teach a lesson while speaking in plain terms. For example, “A bad penny always turns up” is an aphorism for the fact that bad people or things are bound to turn up in life. We just have to deal with them when they do. Interesting, right?

What is a common aphorism?

Aphorisms are often used to teach a lesson while speaking in plain terms. For example, “A bad penny always turns up” is an aphorism for the fact that bad people or things are bound to turn up in life. We just have to deal with them when they do.

Are proverbs aphorisms?

Some people say that proverbs are types of aphorisms. However, given the definition above and the typical examples, it would seem more likely that aphorisms are a type of proverb. Specifically, they are ones that are given a source, meaning they are original to the person who defined that truth.

What is the opposite of aphorism?

Opposite of a seemingly self-evident or necessary truth which is based on assumption. absurdity. ambiguity. foolishness. nonsense.