Aphorism | Literary Term - Definition, Characteristic and Examples | Learning The Easy Way

Aphorism:

Aphorism means a short expression of a universal truth. It is  brief statement of a principle or truth that usually an observation about life. It can be witty as well as insightful. The use of aphorism reflects the depth of an author's personal experience. It is different from a proverb.

We find a lots of examples in Francis Bacons essays. Some are given in the  following:

"Reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man; and writing man."

"Wives are young men's mistresses, companions for middle age; and old men's nurses."