Concept in Definition ABC

An apothegm is a short sentence containing a teaching, usually of the type moral. In this sense, apothegms are similar to popular sayings, aphorisms, proverbs, axioms, maxims or adages.

Its cultural origin and some illustrative examples

These short sentences with moralizing intent arose in classical Greece and continued in the civilization Roman. Keep in mind that the philosophy had become the new rational model that replaced mythical accounts of the past and philosophical texts (especially the related to ethics) it was necessary to resort to a type of simple, direct and clear sentences that made manifest an idea concrete. Thus, philosophers like Aristotle or the sophists resort to the apothegm as a simplified formula to express their ideas.

To illustrate the previous reflection, we can mention some apothegms of the classical world:

- It is difficult to know yourself.

- Teach and learn the best.

- Don't believe in everything.

- The wisest thing is time.

- Let us not do what we censor to others.

- Do not make an effort to be beautiful in the face; be rather beautiful in your works.

- Don't hesitate to take care of your parents.

Other types of short sentences

Apothegms usually present a philosophical assessment. With a few short words, a deep knowledge is transmitted that invites reflection. In this sense, each type of short statement has some element singular.

Thus, the proverb is a popular phrase that aims to provide useful advice for life (if what you are going to say does not improve the silence, do not say it, it is an example of an Arabic proverb). A maxim is advice and a reflection on a matter and is attributed to a real person (fortune helps the bold is a famous maxim of Virgil).

A axiom is a statement that is considered evident and true and is used in the field of math, the logic or science (the straight line is the shortest distance between two points is an axiom known to all).

The saying is similar to the proverb and is an ingenious popular saying and contains some moral (to whom Get up early, God helps you or great evils, great remedies, two examples among the thousands of the proverb Spanish). The aphorism is similar to the axiom, but while the aphorism is based on the experience real and observable, the axiom does not require any kind of empirical verification.

Photos: Fotolia - WavebreakmediaMicro / Cebreros

Themes in Apothegma