Aphorisms SOUL OF WIT

Roopa Banerjee

Hunger is the best sauce in the world is a catchy way of telling an interesting truth about food tasting better when we are hungry. It’s also a good example of an aphorism — a concise and pithy statement that expresses a universal truth or a trenchant observation about life.

Aphorism originates from the Greek word aphorismos, meaning definition or delimitation. It is derived from aphorizein, “to define,” which in turn comes from apo meaning “from” and horizein, “to bound” or “determine.” The term was first used in this sense by Hippocrates, the ancient Greek physician, in a collection of concise medical principles known as aphorisms. The first line of that work, “Life is short, art is long,” remains one of the most cited aphorisms to this day.

Over time, the use of aphorisms expanded beyond medicine into literature, philosophy, and popular culture, becoming a staple of reflective and persuasive writing. A famous aphorism is by scientist Albert Einstein: “If you judge a fish by its ability to climb trees, it will spend its whole life thinking that it is stupid.”

In the classic Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes, the book’s humorous tone is ascribed to clever aphorisms. Don Quixote speaks largely through aphorisms that are humorous and sarcastic. For example, “He who’s down one day can be up the next, unless he really wants to stay in bed, that is.”

Writers have long used aphorisms to distil complex ideas into elegant and enduring phrases. Friedrich Nietzsche, for example, is known for his dense, aphoristic style. In Beyond Good and Evil, he wrote: “He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.” This aphorism compresses a deeply existential idea into a punchy sentence that resonates with philosophers and lay readers. Playwright Oscar Wilde’s writing, too, is filled with glittering aphorisms. In The Picture of Dorian Gray, he declares, “The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it.” Here, the aphorism is not only clever but laced with irony, challenging moral convention and delivering Wilde’s signature wit.

Pop culture makes powerful use of aphorisms, especially in dialogue. Yoda’s iconic line in Star Wars, “Do or do not. There is no try,” condenses an entire philosophy of commitment and intention into just eight words. In a very different tone, the character Ferris Bueller in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off reflects: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” This aphorism, equal parts teenage wisdom and existential musing, resonates for its simplicity and truth.

Writers use aphorisms to express complex truths in clear, readable language and often structure them rhythmically to be memorable. They punctuate stories with moments of reflection and elevate a writer’s voice by conveying wisdom or irony in just a few words.

Aphorisms are often confused with proverbs. While proverbs are typically folk-based and passed down orally, aphorisms bear the stamp of individual authorship and are prized for their elegance, brevity, and insight. What sets aphorisms apart is their crafted quality and often their identifiable origin.

Aphorisms are proof that less can be more. Whether serious, satirical, or spiritual, they allow writers to leave a lasting impression. To quote another famous aphorism attributed to French mathematician and physicist Blaise Pascal: “I would have written a shorter letter, but I did not have the time.”

Exercise
Here are five aphorisms. Name their authors.