aphorism

=Aphorism:=


 * Definition**: A terse statement of known authorship which expresses a general truth or moral principle; it can also be a memorable summation of the author's point.
 * Dictionary.com**: A terse saying embodying a general truth, or astute observation, as “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

Aphorism In 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, Islamis Hadith, Hesoid's //Works and Days//, or Epictetus' Handbook. Aphoristic collections also make up an important part of the work of some modern authors.
 * Wisdom literature: this genre is characterized by praise of God, often in poetic form, and by sayings of wisdom intended to teach about God and about virtue.

Aphorism In Poetry:
Aphorism, often times, is considered a compressed poetic genre in itself. Aphorisms usually use devices such as alliteration(//**p**enny wise, **p**ound foolish//), anaphora (//**a penny** saved is **a penny** earned//) and rhyme (//a stitch in **time** saves **nine**//).

Aphorism In Society:
In certain cultures, obtaining the abiility to produce aphoristic sayinds at the right moment is a key determinant of social status. "Many societies have traditional sages or culture heroes to whom aphorisms are commonly attributed, such as the Seven Sages of Greece, Confucius or King Solomon."

Examples:
//Marry in haste: repent at leisure.// — Scottish proverb //Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.// — Chinese proverb //Lost time is never found again.// — Benjamin Franklin //People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.// - Anon //Greed is a permanent slavery.// — Ali //One man's meat is another man's poison.//

Works Cited