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.

See also

• proverb
• adage
• maxim
• cliche
• stock phrase