The term aphorism comes from the Greek ἀφορίζειν, which means to define. The aphorism is a brief and doctrinal sentence that is proposed as a rule in a science or art. The aphorism is a concise statement or sentence that seeks to express a principle in a succinct, coherent and apparently closed way.
An aphorism is a poetic idea, a literary idea. It is a writing by means of which a fulminating idea can be emitted, it looks like a telegram.
The term aphorism was first used by Heraclitus of Ephesus, referring to a series of propositions related to symptoms and the diagnosis of diseases. This concept was later applied to physical science and subsequently generalized to all kinds of principles.
According to some authors, the aphorisms never coincide with the truth, or are half truths or half truths. This ability of language to hide or shine has captivated many writers, who find in the aphorism a way to dazzle with their ability to think.
Aphorisms and axioms
Both the aphorism and the axiom are a type of paremia, such as proverbs, sayings, etc. But there is a difference between aphorisms and axioms. The aphorisms are the result of experience, while the axioms are obvious truths that do not require verification.
Aphorism examples
These are some examples of anonymous aphorisms, and others that are not:
- The wise seek wisdom; Fools believe they found her.
- The important thing is not to know, but to have the phone you know.
- People who make little noise are dangerous (Jean de La Fontaine).
- Machines must work and people think.
- Politicians are like those who see luck, lie by trade.
- Life is short. Death, eternal
- The cruelest lies are silently told (Robert Louis Stevenson).
