Aphorism: Definition and Examples

Skilled communicators know how to make their audience think and leave them with a memorable message. cause their audience to think and give them a memorable message.

The good thing about crafting a powerful message is that you don’t have to think up original ideas all the time. You can actually use thoughts that other great minds have already come up with.

In fact, one of the most helpful tools in communication is called aphorism, and it involves using famous observations by others that have already been shared in a concise way.

What Is an Aphorism?

An aphorism is an observation that tells a general truth, usually in a concise and witty way, and often embodying philosophical, literary, or moral principles. The phrase “If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it” is one example of a common aphorism.

In order for a statement to be correctly labelled as an aphorism, it needs to contain a truth and state it in a succinct way (not a long-winded paragraph).

Aphorisms appear not just in writing, but also in daily conversation. Because they contain ideas that are true, they are universally accepted. In fact, you probably can recognize many famous aphoristic statements made by politicians, artists, philosophers, sportsmen, and writers.

Because they often come with a touch of humor, aphorisms appeal to the masses, and they are usually very memorable.

Common Examples of Aphorisms

Here are some common examples of aphorisms. Some of these can be attributed to specific people, while others have been used so long that we cannot really trace their origins anymore.

Pride comes before a fall. (proverb)
Youth is a blunder, manhood a struggle, old age regret. (Benjamin Disraeli)
Life’s tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late. (Benjamin Franklin)
Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind. (Rudyard Kipling)
Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise. (Benjamin Franklin)
Actions speak louder than words.
Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for life. (A Chinese Proverb)
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. (A proverb)

Examples of Aphorism from Famous People

Many of the aphorisms we use now come from works of literature by some of the best writers. Others come from famous speakers or politicians. Take a look at some of these examples below:

Example #1. William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare is considered one of the masters of English literature, and many of his lines have become commonplace, even if you may not necessarily have read the works they came from.

“Lord, what fools these mortals be!” (From A Midsummer Night’s Dream)
“Having nothing, nothing can he lose.” (From Henry VI)
“What’s in a name? A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” (From Romeo and Juliet)
“Life is a tale told by an idiot: full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” (From Macbeth)

Example #2. Charlotte Mason

Charlotte Mason was a British educator and reformer in the late 1800s, and wrote several volumes on the topic of education. Many homeschooling families have revived her works in recent years, using many of her sayings as mottoes for their families.

“I am, I can, I ought, I will.”
“Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life.”
“It’s not how much the children know, it’s how much they care.”
“Children are born persons.”
“An observant child should be put in the way of things worth observing.”
“Our aim in education is to give a full life.”
“Do not let the endless succession of small things crowd great ideals out of sight and out of mind.”
“Education, like faith, is the evidence of things not seen.”

Example #3. Sir Francis Bacon

Another writer whose sayings are among the most quoted in history is Sir Francis Bacon. Take a look at some of his most popular quotes:

“Studies serve for delight, for ornament and for ability.”
“Praise is the reflection of the virtue. But it is the reflection glass or body which giveth the reflection.”
“To use too many circumstances, ere one come to the matter, is wearisome, to use none at all, is blunt.”

Example #4. Theodore Roosevelt

This former U.S. president is another of the most quoted persons in history. Here are some of his famous lines:

“If you want to lead, you must read.”
“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
“The only man who never makes mistakes is the man who never does anything.”
“To educate a person in the mind but not in morals is to educate a menace to society.”
“Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground.”
“Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.”
“Courage is not having the strength to go on; it is going on when you don’t have the strength.”
“When you play, play hard; when you work, don’t play at all.”

What Is Another Word for Aphorism?

Even if you’ve never heard the word “aphorism” before, you most likely encountered it in other words that refer to the same idea. Perhaps you’ve heard someone referring to “the old adage,” or living by a life “motto.” These and the following other words are used to refer to aphorisms:

saying
precept
axiom
proverb
moral
epigram
slogan

Function of Aphorism

As you can see from the above examples, an aphorism is a way to communicate a moral or philosophical truth. These ideas are relevant to human experience across all generations, which gives them a timeless quality and ensures that they’ll be passed down through the years.

If you are writing a motivational speech, consider making good use of aphorisms. Be sure to check out other literary devices too, to make your writing clear and memorable for your audience.

Did you find this post helpful? Let us know in the comments below!

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