Aphorism

Aphorism (from the Greek αφοριζειν, to define), literally a distinction or a definition (see the Online Etymology Dictionary entry), is a term used to describe a principle expressed tersely in a few telling words or any general truth conveyed in a short and pithy sentence, in such a way that when once heard it is unlikely to pass from the memory.

Aphorism and literature

Aphoristic collections, sometimes known as wisdom literature, have a prominent place in the canons of several ancient societies: e.g. the Biblical Book of Proverbs, Islamic Hadith, or Hesiod's Works and Days. Aphoristic collections also make up an important part of the work of some modern authors, such as Friedrich Nietzsche.

Related Topics:
Wisdom literature - Biblical - Book of Proverbs - Islam - Hadith - Hesiod - Friedrich Nietzsche

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Some writers such as Eric Hoffer employ a style of compressing ideas and thoughts into brief paragraphs, many one sentence long, and refer to these as aphorisms. See http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Eric_Hoffer for selected examples.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~