Aphorism

Anaphorism(fromGreekἀφορισμός:aphorismos,denoting 'delimitation', 'distinction', and 'definition') is a concise, terse,laconic,or memorable expression of a generaltruthorprinciple.^[1]Aphorisms are often handed down bytraditionfrom generation to generation.

The concept is generally distinct from those of anadage,brocard,chiasmus,epigram,maxim (legalorphilosophical),principle,proverb,andsaying;although some of these concepts may be construed as types of aphorism.

Often aphorisms are distinguished from other short sayings by the need for interpretation to make sense of them. InA Theory of the Aphorism,Andrew Hui defined an aphorism as "a short saying that requires interpretation".^[2]

A famous example is:

It is not possible to step into the same river twice.
— Heraclitus

History

The word was first used in theAphorismsofHippocrates,a long series ofpropositionsconcerning the symptoms and diagnosis ofdiseaseand the art of healing andmedicine.^[3]The often-cited first sentence of this work is: "Ὁ βίος βραχύς, δὲ τέχνη μακρή"-" life is short, art is long ", usually reversed in order (Ars longa, vita brevis).

This aphorism was later applied or adapted tophysical scienceand then morphed into multifarious aphorisms ofphilosophy,morality,andliterature.Currently, an aphorism is generally understood to be a concise andeloquentstatement oftruth.

Aphorisms are distinct fromaxioms:aphorisms generally originate from experience andcustom,whereas axioms are self-evident truths and therefore require no additional proof. Aphorisms have been especially used in subjects to which no methodical or scientific treatment was originally applied, such asagriculture,medicine,jurisprudence,andpolitics.^[3]

Literature

Aphoristic collections, sometimes known aswisdom literature,have a prominent place in the canons of several ancient societies, such as theSutraliterature ofIndia,theBiblical Ecclesiastes,Islamic hadiths,the golden verses of Pythagoras,Hesiod'sWorks and Days,theDelphic maxims,andEpictetus' Handbook.Aphoristic collections also make up an important part of the work of some modern authors. A 1559 oil–on–oak-panel painting,Netherlandish Proverbs(also calledThe Blue CloakorThe Topsy Turvy World) byPieter Bruegel the Elder,artfully depicts a land populated with literal renditions of Flemish aphorisms (proverbs) of the day.

The first noted published collection of aphorisms isAdagiabyErasmus.Other important early aphorists wereBaltasar Gracián,François de La Rochefoucauld,andBlaise Pascal.

Two influential collections of aphorisms published in the twentieth century wereUnkempt ThoughtsbyStanisław Jerzy Lec(in Polish) andItch of WisdombyMikhail Turovsky(in Russian and English).^[4]

Society

Many societies have traditional sages orculture heroesto whom aphorisms are commonly attributed, such as theSeven Sages of Greece,Chanakya,Confucius,orKing Solomon.

Misquoted or misadvised aphorisms are frequently used as a source ofhumour;for instance,wordplaysof aphorisms appear in the works ofP. G. Wodehouse,Terry Pratchett,andDouglas Adams.Aphorisms being misquoted by sports players, coaches, and commentators form the basis ofPrivate Eye'sColemanballssection.

Philosophy

Professor of Humanities Andrew Hui, author ofA Theory of the Aphorismoffered the following definition of an aphorism: "a short saying that requires interpretation".^[2]Hui showed that some of the earliest philosophical texts from traditions around the world used an aphoristic style. Some of the earliest texts in the western philosophical canon feature short statements requiring interpretation, as seen in thePre-SocraticslikeHeraclitusandParmenides.In early Hindu literature, theVedaswere composed of many aphorisms. Likewise, in early Chinese philosophy,Taoisttexts like theTao Te Chingand theConfucian Analectsrelied on an aphoristic style.Francis Bacon,Blaise Pascal,Desiderius Erasmus,andFriedrich Nietzscherank among some of the most notable philosophers who employed them in themoderntime.

Andrew Hui argued that aphorisms played an important role in the history of philosophy, influencing the favored mediums of philosophical traditions. He argued for example, that the PlatonicDialoguesserved as a response to the difficult to interpret fragments and phrases which Pre-Socratic philosophers were famous for. Hui proposes that aphorisms often arrive before, after, or in response to more systematic argumentative philosophy.^[2]For example, aphorisms may come before a systematic philosophy, because the systematic philosophy consists of the attempt to interpret and explain the aphorisms, as he argues is the case with Confucianism. Alternately, aphorisms may be written against systematic philosophy, as a form of challenge or irreverence, as seen in Nietzsche's work. Lastly, aphorisms may come after or following systematic philosophy, as was the case with Francis Bacon, who sought to bring an end to old ways of thinking.^[2]