APHORISMS

To qualify as an aphorism, it is necessary for a statement to contain a truth revealed in a terse (concise or short) manner. Aphoristic statements are quoted in writings as well as in our daily speech. The fact that they contain a truth gives them a universal acceptance. Scores of philosophers, politicians, writers, artists and sportsman and other individuals are remembered for their famous aphoristic statements.

Aphorisms often come with a pinch of humor, which makes them more appealing to the masses. Proverbs, maxims, adages and clichés are different forms of aphoristic statements that gain prevalence from generation to generation and frequently appear in our day-to-day speech.

Common Aphorism Examples

Let us look at some aphorism examples:

• The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones. [William Faulkner]
• Yesterday is but today’s memory, and tomorrow is today’s dream. [Khalil Gibran]
• The simplest questions are the hardest to answer. [Northrop Frye]
• A proverb is no proverb to you till life has illustrated it.  [John Keats]
• Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind. [Rudyard Kipling]

Examples of Aphorism in Literature

• Having nothing, nothing can he lose. (Henry VI)
• Life is a tale told by an idiot — full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. (Macbeth)
• You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view. (To Kill a Mockingbird, the character, Atticus Finch
• If? There is no if. There is only what is. What was. What will be.