Aphorism 指一種簡潔、精闢的格言或警句，通常表達普遍真理或智慧。
簡潔的智慧格言
EN: A short, memorable statement that expresses a general truth or wisdom.
翻譯: 一種簡短、令人印象深刻的陳述，表達普遍真理或智慧。
文學或哲學中的警句
EN: A concise, witty observation often found in literature or philosophy.
翻譯: 一種簡潔、機智的見解，常見於文學或哲學作品中。
具權威性的原則陳述
EN: A pithy, authoritative statement of a principle or belief.
翻譯: 對某項原則或信念的精闢、具權威性的陳述。
小提醒：Aphorism 與 proverb（諺語）相似，但通常更具文學性或哲理性，且常可追溯至特定作者，而非民間流傳。
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Real-life Examples of "Aphorism" from YouTube Videos
Paul Moller: Take a ride in the Skycar
TED
“I characterized this emerging technology in an aphorism, as it's described, which really talks about what I've experienced and I'm sure, what other people may have experienced in emerging technologies.”
1. a short, clever statement that expresses a general truth or observation
一種簡短、巧妙的陳述，表達普遍的真理或觀察
"Actions speak louder than words" is a well-known aphorism.
「行動勝於雄辯」是一句廣為人知的格言。
The philosopher was famous for his witty aphorisms about life.
這位哲學家以其關於人生的機智格言而聞名。
2. a concise, memorable statement of a principle, especially in a literary or philosophical work
對某項原則的簡潔、令人難忘的陳述，尤指出現在文學或哲學作品中
The book is a collection of moral aphorisms from ancient texts.
這本書是古代典籍中道德箴言的彙編。
Her writing style is characterized by the use of sharp aphorisms.
她的寫作風格以使用犀利的警句為特色。
3. a pithy observation that contains a general truth, often used in rhetoric or teaching
包含普遍真理的精闢見解，常用於修辭或教學中
The teacher began the lesson with an aphorism about the value of hard work.
老師以一句關於勤奮價值的格言開始了這堂課。
Political speeches often include aphorisms to make their points more memorable.
政治演講常包含格言，以使觀點更令人印象深刻。
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| aphorism + about + topic | 關於…的格言 | He shared an old aphorism about the dangers of pride. (他分享了一句關於驕傲危險性的古老格言。) |
| aphorism + that + clause | 一個…的格言 | The book opens with the famous aphorism that "knowledge is power." (這本書以「知識就是力量」這句著名的格言開篇。) |
| an aphorism for + situation/person | 適用於…的格言 | "Measure twice, cut once" is a perfect aphorism for careful planning. (「三思而後行」是適用於謹慎規劃的完美格言。) |
| to coin an aphorism | 創造一句格言 | The philosopher was known for his ability to coin an aphorism that captured complex ideas simply. (這位哲學家以能創造出簡單捕捉複雜思想的格言而聞名。) |
| to quote/cite an aphorism | 引用一句格言 | She began her speech by quoting a classic Chinese aphorism. (她以引用一句經典的中國格言開始了她的演講。) |
EN:"A stitch in time saves nine" is a well-known proverb about timely action.
翻譯:「及時行事，事半功倍」是一句關於及時行動的著名諺語。
若強調原創性、哲理性與精闢性，宜用 aphorism；若指傳統流傳的生活智慧，則用 proverb；若是實用行為準則，可選 maxim；泛指時可用 saying。
aphorism vs proverb
aphorism 是簡潔、原創的智慧語句，通常出自特定作者；proverb 則是廣為流傳、反映普遍經驗的傳統格言。
aphorism vs maxim
aphorism 是廣泛的智慧或觀察語錄，而 maxim 特指作為行為準則的格言。
aphorism vs saying
aphorism 是精煉、原創的智慧語句，saying 則是任何常見的短語或表達，範圍更廣。
當你聽到或讀到一句精闢的話，想分享給朋友時，可以用 "aphorism" 來介紹它。 EN: I read this great aphorism the other day: 'The only constant in life is change.' 翻譯: 我前幾天讀到一句很棒的格言：『生命中唯一不變的就是變化。』
EN:She loves to start her presentations with an aphorism to set the tone.
翻譯:她喜歡用一句警語來開場，為演講定調。
在對話中，可以用 "aphorism" 來強調某句話特別簡潔有力、發人深省。 EN: That's not just a clever saying; it's a real aphorism that makes you think. 翻譯: 那不只是句俏皮話，而是真正能引人深思的警句。
EN:Wow, you just summed up the whole problem in one sentence. That's practically an aphorism!
翻譯:哇，你一句話就總結了整個問題。這簡直就是箴言了！
在思考如何表達一個複雜想法時，可以將 "aphorism" 作為一個過渡詞，引出你準備好的精煉總結。 EN: It's hard to explain... well, there's an old aphorism that captures it: 'Less is more.' 翻譯: 這很難解釋……嗯，有句古老的格言正好概括了它：『少即是多。』
EN:To put it in the form of an aphorism, I'd say 'haste makes waste' is the lesson here.
翻譯:用一句諺語來說，我會說這裡的教訓就是『欲速則不達』。
請注意：在正式寫作（如學術論文、商業報告）中，應避免使用 "To put it in the form of an aphorism" 這類口語化的引導句。應直接引用格言內容，並確保其出處和上下文適切。
classic aphorism
adjective + aphorism
經典格言
pithy aphorism
adjective + aphorism
精闢的格言
coin an aphorism
verb + aphorism
創造/杜撰一句格言
famous aphorism
adjective + aphorism
著名的格言
packed into an aphorism
verb + into + aphorism
濃縮於一句格言中
collection of aphorisms
noun + of + aphorisms
格言集
aphorism that embodies
aphorism + relative clause
體現了...的格言
×He told me an aphorism that life is short.
✓He told me an aphorism: 'Life is short.'
An aphorism is a specific, concise statement. When introducing it, use a colon or quotation marks to set it off, not 'that'.
×Her speech was full of aphorisms, like long stories and jokes.
✓Her speech was full of aphorisms, like concise proverbs and witty sayings.
Aphorisms are defined by being short, pithy, and insightful. They are not long stories or jokes.
×I need to aphorism this idea for my essay.
✓I need to express this idea as an aphorism for my essay.
'Aphorism' is a noun, not a verb. You cannot use it as an action. Use verbs like 'express as an aphorism', 'summarize in an aphorism', or 'coin an aphorism'.
×This aphorism is very long and detailed.
✓This statement is very long and detailed, so it's not an aphorism.
By definition, an aphorism is terse and concise. A long, detailed explanation cannot be an aphorism.
×She wrote an aphorism about the entire history of Rome.
✓She wrote an epigram / a concise summary about the entire history of Rome.
An aphorism expresses a general truth or observation, not a summary of a specific, lengthy historical narrative.
×My father's daily advice are aphorisms.
✓My father's pieces of daily advice are aphorisms.
The word 'advice' is uncountable. When referring to individual instances, use 'a piece of advice' or 'pieces of advice'. 'Aphorisms' are countable.