Aphorism

An Aphorism is an concise memorable statement that expresses a wisdom (a general truth or observation, often in a witty or thought-provoking manner).

• Context:
  • It can range from being a Simple Aphorism to being an Aspirational Aphorism.
  • It can range from being a Simple Aphorism (e.g. reduce, reuse, recycle) to being an Aspirational Aphorism (e.g. ambitious uncomfortable action).
  • ...
  • It can be a part of an Aphoristic Collection, where multiple aphorisms are compiled to convey a broader theme or set of teachings.
  • It can be associated with Personal Action, serving as a guiding principle or motivational statement for behavior or decision-making.
  • It can be found in various forms, such as maxims, proverbs, or sayings, often overlapping with these concepts but maintaining its own distinct characteristics.
  • ...
• Example(s):
  • Adages and Well-Known Aphorisms, such as:
    • "Birds of a feather flock together," emphasizing the tendency of similar people to associate with each other.
    • "Don't judge a book by its cover," cautioning against making judgments based solely on appearances.
    • "A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats," by John F. Kennedy, suggesting that improvements in the general economy benefit all participants.
    • "Actions Speak Louder Than Words," highlighting that a person's deeds are more significant than their words.
    • "Be the Change," by Mahatma Gandhi, encouraging individuals to take personal responsibility for enacting the change they wish to see in the world.
    • "Injustice Anywhere is a Threat to Justice Everywhere," by Martin Luther King Jr., stressing the interconnectedness of justice and the importance of addressing injustice wherever it occurs.
    • "Perfect is The Enemy of Good," emphasizing that striving for perfection can prevent progress or completion.
    • "The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it," by Oscar Wilde, presenting a witty and paradoxical observation about human nature.
    • "I think, therefore I am," by René Descartes, capturing the essence of self-awareness and existence.
    • "No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted," by Aesop, encouraging kindness in all forms and scales.
  • Literary and Philosophical Aphorisms, such as:
    • "Less is more," by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, suggesting that simplicity and restraint can lead to more effective outcomes.
    • "A picture is worth a thousand words," emphasizing the power of visual communication to convey complex ideas.
    • "Honesty is the best policy," encouraging integrity and truthfulness as a guiding principle.
    • "The pen is mightier than the sword," by Edward Bulwer-Lytton, underscoring the influence of words and ideas over violence.
    • "When in Rome, do as the Romans do," advising adaptability to local customs and practices when in a different culture.
  • Inspirational Aphorisms, such as:
    • "What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals," by Zig Ziglar, focusing on personal growth through the pursuit of goals.
    • "The only limit to our realization of tomorrow is our doubts of today," by Franklin D. Roosevelt, encouraging overcoming self-doubt to achieve future success.
    • "It is never too late to be what you might have been," by George Eliot, motivating continuous self-improvement and ambition.
    • "The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step," by Lao Tzu, emphasizing the importance of taking the first step toward a significant goal.
    • "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts," by Winston Churchill, encouraging perseverance in the face of challenges.
  • …
• Counter-Example(s):
  • Proverb, which is a traditional saying that expresses a general truth or piece of advice, often lacking the wit or provocation of an aphorism.
  • Catchphrase, which is a phrase or expression recognized by its repeated use and association with a particular group, person, or situation, but not necessarily carrying deep wisdom or insight.
• See: Dictum, Principle, Saying, Adage, Brocard (Law), Chiasmus, Epigram, Legal Maxim.

---

---

References

2023

• chat
  • An aphorism is a concise, memorable statement expressing a general truth, principle, or wisdom. Aphorisms are often witty, thought-provoking, and easily understood, making them popular in various forms of communication. They can be found in literature, speeches, and everyday conversations.
  • Here are some examples of well-known aphorisms:
  • “Less is more": This aphorism, often attributed to the architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, suggests that simplicity and restraint can lead to more effective and aesthetically pleasing outcomes than complexity or excess.
  • “Actions speak louder than words": This saying emphasizes that a person's deeds are more important and revealing than their words.
  • “A picture is worth a thousand words": This aphorism conveys the idea that a single image can communicate complex ideas or emotions more effectively than a lengthy verbal description.
  • “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise": Often attributed to Benjamin Franklin, this aphorism encourages the practice of good habits and discipline for personal well-being and success.
  • “Honesty is the best policy": This saying emphasizes the importance of being truthful and acting with integrity.
  • “The pen is mightier than the sword": Attributed to Edward Bulwer-Lytton, this aphorism suggests that words and ideas can have a more significant impact than physical force or violence.
  • “When in Rome, do as the Romans do": This saying advises people to adapt to the customs and practices of the local culture when visiting or living in a foreign place.

2021

• (Wikipedia, 2021) ⇒ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/aphorism Retrieved:2021-5-25.
  • An aphorism (from Greek ἀφορισμός: aphorismos, denoting 'delimitation', 'distinction', and 'definition') is a concise, terse, laconic, or memorable expression of a general truth or principle. They are often handed down by tradition from generation to generation. The concept is distinct from those of an adage, brocard, chiasmus, epigram, maxim (legal or philosophical), principle, proverb, and saying; some of these concepts are types of aphorism.

---