Best of the Spectator The Book Club: A Brief History of the Aphorism
Dec 4, 2025
James Geary, a writer and aphorism scholar, dives into the enchanting world of aphorisms, drawing from his book, The World in a Phrase. He distinguishes aphorisms from proverbs, discussing their declarative nature and literary devices like paradox and chiasmus. Geary shares his lifelong obsession with collecting these witty nuggets, tracing their roots from the I Ching to modern American expressions. He reflects on the impact of social media on contemporary aphorisms, emphasizing their role as prompts for deeper reflection amid a sea of quick quips.
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What Defines An Aphorism
- An aphorism is a short, witty, philosophical saying that prompts reflection rather than argument.
- James Geary stresses brevity, a twist, and everyday philosophical questions as its core features.
Aphorisms Assert, They Don’t Argue
- Aphorisms assert rather than argue and rely on the listener to supply evidence by imagining the implied story.
- Geary says their power comes from the narrative they instigate in the reader's mind.
Aphorisms As Intellectual Puzzles
- Aphorisms function like puzzles or jokes reduced to punchlines and must make sense without explanation.
- Geary highlights paradox, inversion and chiasmus as common devices that make the reader think twice.
