Aphorism facts for kids

An aphorism is a short, memorable saying. It often shares a surprising truth or a wise thought. Aphorisms are usually quick to read. They make you think about life, people, or the world around you.

What is an Aphorism?

An aphorism is like a mini-lesson packed into a few words. It's a clever statement that gives a general truth or a rule for living. Think of it as a wise quote that sticks in your mind.

Famous Aphorisms and Their Meanings

Many famous thinkers, writers, and leaders have created aphorisms. Here are some examples and what they mean:

• Ars longa, vita brevis (Art is long but life is short). This saying comes from Hippocrates, a famous ancient Greek doctor. It means that learning and creating art or knowledge takes a very long time. Our lives, however, are much shorter. So, we should use our time wisely to learn and contribute.
• To do nothing is sometimes a good remedy. Also from Hippocrates, this aphorism suggests that sometimes the best thing to do is to wait or not interfere. It can be wise to let things unfold naturally or to rest.
• The various modes of worship, which prevailed in the Roman world, were all considered by the people, as equally true; by the philosopher, as equally false; and by the magistrate, as equally useful. This quote is from Edward Gibbon's book, "The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire". It talks about how different groups of people viewed religion in ancient Rome. Ordinary people believed all religions were true. Philosophers thought they were all untrue. Leaders, however, saw them as useful for keeping order.
• "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely". This powerful aphorism was written by Lord Acton (John Dalberg-Acton, 1st Baron Acton) in 1877. It means that having power can make people do bad things. If someone has total power, they are very likely to become completely corrupt and unfair.
• Our virtues are most frequently but vices in disguise. ("Nos vertus ne sont, le plus souvent, que de vices déguisés".) This comes from Francois de La Rochefoucauld. It suggests that even our good qualities or actions might sometimes hide selfish or bad reasons. For example, someone might be generous just to look good.
• We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars. Oscar Wilde wrote this in his play Lady Windermere's Fan (1892). It means that even when we are in a bad or difficult situation (the gutter), some of us can still have hope and look for beauty or something better (the stars). It's about having a positive outlook.
• Fool, nothing is impossible in Russia but reform. Another quote from Oscar Wilde, from his play Vera; or, The Nihilists (1880). This aphorism humorously suggests that in Russia, change or improvement (reform) is extremely difficult to achieve, even if other seemingly impossible things might happen.
• All is flux, and You cannot step into the same river twice. These ideas come from Heraclitus, an ancient Greek philosopher, and were mentioned by Plato in his work Cratylus. "All is flux" means everything is always changing. "You cannot step into the same river twice" means that both you and the river are constantly changing. So, the river is never exactly the same, and neither are you.

See also

In Spanish: Aforismo para niños