ˈafəˌrizəm noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle French aphorisme, from Late Latin aphorismus, from Greek aphorismos definition, short, pithy sentence, from aphorizein to mark off by boundaries, set aside, cast out, define (from apo- + horizein to separate, part) + -ismos -ism — more at horizon
1. : a concise statement of a principle
2. : a terse and often ingenious formulation of a truth or sentiment usually in a single sentence : adage , maxim
one must reverse the aphorism “the style is the man” — Emily Genauer