A pithy, instructive statement or truism, like a maxim or adage. See Benjamin Franklin’s “How to get RICHES.”  Browse more aphorisms.

An aphorism is a remark or sentence, often a definition, that conveys the truth about something in a concise and witty way.

a short pithy instructive saying General Sherman's famous aphorism that "War is Hell," has become classic. — Fletcher, Samuel H.

1520s (especially in reference to the "Aphorisms of Hippocrates"), from Middle French aphorisme (14c., aufforisme), from Late Latin aphorismus, from Greek aphorismos "definition, pithy [..]

a short, concise statement of a principle or a short, pointed sentence expressing a wise or clever observation or a general truth; a terse formulation of a truth or sentiment. According to James Geary in The World in a Phrase: A Brief History of the Aphorism

n. Proverb.

A saying; a sentiment.

Short pithy statement embodying a general truth e.g. Tennyson's 'Nature, red in tooth and claw.'  

(n) a short pithy instructive saying

A short popular sayings effectively expressing or astutely professing general truths or useful thoughts. (12 Dec 1998)

A concise statement expressing an opinion or a general truth, often in a clever way. For example: "Art is the lie that makes us realize the truth." —Pablo Picasso

Such a fancy word for a not-so-fancy term. An aphorism is a little saying (kind of like a proverb) that's (a) concise, (b) clever, and (c) truthy. That means that when you read an aphorism, you s [..]