An aphorism is a short expression that is presented as a rule or principle.
An aphorism is a short expression that, in a certain context , presents itself as a principle or rule. It is interesting to mention that a Greek word derived from the Latin term aphorismus , which in turn came to Spanish as an aphorism.
Aphorisms, therefore, are propositions that seek to pronounce something coherently and concisely. The notion was proposed by Hippocrates regarding the sentences that were used to name the symptoms of diseases and to diagnose them. From this use, the idea spread to other sciences.
Various related concepts
It is common for aphorisms to be confused with sayings , proverbs , axioms , maxims and adages , among other types of expressions. In many cases, these words are used synonymously.
Precisely, there are many people who confuse what the aphorism is with the axiom . However, it must be stated that they are different, they are not synonyms. Specifically, we can determine that, while the aphorism is the fruit or result of experience, the axiom is not. This becomes a truth so clear and so obvious that no verification of it needs to be carried out.
Also considered synonymous with the aphorism are both the apothegm , which is the saying made by a famous person and which is characterized by being brief and direct, and the sentence , a statement or decision that has an opinion about a specific matter or issue.
At a general level, as we already indicated, it can be said that an aphorism arises from experience. That is why they are usually used in areas where the scientific method is not applied. Over time , aphorisms became a kind of literary genre or format, often with poetic intention .
There are those who maintain that aphorisms resurfaced thanks to Twitter (today X ) and other social networks that promote the publication of short texts. In this way, the number of people writing their thoughts in just a few lines is multiplied.
The aphorism can be considered a literary genre or format.
Examples of aphorism
An example of an aphorism is “What does not kill, strengthens you,” which can also be found as “What does not kill you, strengthens you” or “What does not kill me, strengthens me.” This aphorism attempts to convey a message of hope, highlighting the possibility of emerging stronger from a situation that causes harm.
Among the long list of existing aphorisms, there are some that have achieved great international fame thanks to the fact that they were expressed by illustrious people, such as writers or politicians. Among the most significant are the following:
- “Time lost is never found again” (Benjamin Franklin).
- “Doubt is one of the names of intelligence” (Jorge Luis Borges).
- “The future tortures us, the past chains us. This is why the present escapes us” (Gustave Flaubert).
- “The truth is not on the side of the one who shouts the loudest” (Rabindranath Tagore).
- “Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored” (T. Huxley).
- “The cruelest lies are told in silence” (Robert Louis Stevenson).
- “While fools decide, intelligent people deliberate” (Plutarch).
Expert word
"Miscellany", «Aphonias» y "Five seven five" son libros del español Miguel Angel AlonsoTreceño, quien orienta su pruducción a géneros breves como el aforismo y el haiku.
Graduated in Chemistry and History and graduated in Art History, we spoke with this writer and photographer about the creation of aphorisms.
– What tools or qualities do you consider essential when it comes toto start creating aphorisms?
The first thing is to read a lot. Not only aphorisms: also essays, novels, poetry, and even other less conventional texts such as dictionaries or newspapers. Any source can serve as inspiration. And then… live: experience, remember specific moments, reflect on aspects of life that move us or make us uncomfortable, both in the present and in the future.past.
The great universal themes, such as Miguel Hernández's three wounds—life, death and love—are recurring in the aphorisms, but so are our personal philias and phobias. Each experience, thought or emotion can become an aphorism, in this brief and reflective form of expression that combines
poetry and philosophy in equal parts.Miguel Ángel Alonso Treceño
– According to your criteria, how should you work, what
considerations must be taken, to achieve aphorisms of the bestpossible quality?
In my case, most of my aphorisms are born from a spontaneous idea that I write at the drop of a hat. Then I return to them several times and patiently revise them again and again until I manage to find a balance between the initial idea and what the aphorism really tells, which often has little to do with the original idea.
Miguel Ángel Alonso Treceño