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Word of the Day: Aphorism
An aphorism is a short, clever statement that expresses a general truth or wise idea.
What?
Yes, let me explain.
The word aphorism comes from ancient Greek and is often used in English to mean a short sentence that cleverly expresses a general truth, but in very few words.
If you have ever heard phrases like “Actions speak louder than words” or “Time is money,” you have heard an aphorism.
The main purpose of an aphorism is to share wisdom in a simple and easy-to-remember way.
Writers, teachers, and even friends often use aphorisms to strengthen their advice.
Now, keep in mind, the average person probably does not know they are using an aphorism.
For example, when someone says, “Honesty is the best policy,” they are using an aphorism to encourage truthfulness.
Using an aphorism in conversation or writing can make your message more powerful.
People remember a good aphorism because it is short and clear.
You can find aphorisms in books, speeches, and everyday talk.
Famous authors like Benjamin Franklin and Oscar Wilde often used aphorisms to share their thoughts with the world.
If you want to coin your own aphorism, think about a lesson you want to teach and try to write it in one sentence.
Remember, an effective aphorism is easy to understand and gives good advice.
Many people become excited when the stock market rises and allow their animal spirits to take over.
We have an aphorism they seem to willingly forget: what goes up must come down.
By learning to use aphorisms, you can make your speech or writing more interesting and meaningful.
Try using one of the aphorisms from this post the next time you want to give advice or share a new idea!
Flesch-Kincaid Readability Test
This post is understandable by someone with at least a 7th-grade education (age 12).
On the Flesch-Kincaid reading-ease test, this post scores 75.
The easier a passage is to read, the higher the score on a scale of 0 – 100.