Monday, March 21, 2005
: Quote, Unquote
Since all I've been doing today is reading and writing, I shall keep with the theme of the moment:
: : A SAYING is the simple, direct term for any pithy expression of wisdom or truth. For instance, one might comment on 'the sayings of Chairman Mao' or observe that a cynical friend 'knows the price of everything and, as the saying goes, the value of nothing.' (Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray) Several other words are often used in place of saying, yet shades of meaning set them somewhat apart.
: : An ADAGE is a SAYING that has been popularly accepted over a long period of time. For example: 'Where there's smoke, there's fire.'
: : An APHORISM is a terse SAYING that embodies a general, more or less profound truth or principle. For example: 'If you came unbidden you depart unthanked.'
: : An EPIGRAM is a terse, witty, pointed statement that often has a clever twist of thought. For example: 'The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it.' This is not the same as an epigraph, which is either an inscription on a monument or building or a brief quotation placed at the beginning of a book or chapter to suggest its theme.
: : A MAXIM is a general principle drawn from practical experience and serving as a rule of conduct. For example: 'Practice what you preach.'
: : A MOTTO is a maxim accepted as a guiding principle or as an ideal of behavior. For example: 'Honesty is the best policy.'
: : A PROVERB is a piece of practical wisdom expressed in homely, concrete terms. For example: 'A closed mouth catches no flies.'
: : A SAW is an old homely SAYING that is well worn by repetition. For example: 'A stitch in time saves nine.'"
: : An APOTHEGM is an edgy, more cynical APHORISM; such as, 'Men are generally more careful of the breed of their horses and dogs than of their children.'
: : An IDIOM is an expression whose meaning can't be derived simply by hearing it, such as 'Kick the bucket.'
We learn something new everyday.
-TGO
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: : A SAYING is the simple, direct term for any pithy expression of wisdom or truth. For instance, one might comment on 'the sayings of Chairman Mao' or observe that a cynical friend 'knows the price of everything and, as the saying goes, the value of nothing.' (Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray) Several other words are often used in place of saying, yet shades of meaning set them somewhat apart.
: : An ADAGE is a SAYING that has been popularly accepted over a long period of time. For example: 'Where there's smoke, there's fire.'
: : An APHORISM is a terse SAYING that embodies a general, more or less profound truth or principle. For example: 'If you came unbidden you depart unthanked.'
: : An EPIGRAM is a terse, witty, pointed statement that often has a clever twist of thought. For example: 'The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it.' This is not the same as an epigraph, which is either an inscription on a monument or building or a brief quotation placed at the beginning of a book or chapter to suggest its theme.
: : A MAXIM is a general principle drawn from practical experience and serving as a rule of conduct. For example: 'Practice what you preach.'
: : A MOTTO is a maxim accepted as a guiding principle or as an ideal of behavior. For example: 'Honesty is the best policy.'
: : A PROVERB is a piece of practical wisdom expressed in homely, concrete terms. For example: 'A closed mouth catches no flies.'
: : A SAW is an old homely SAYING that is well worn by repetition. For example: 'A stitch in time saves nine.'"
: : An APOTHEGM is an edgy, more cynical APHORISM; such as, 'Men are generally more careful of the breed of their horses and dogs than of their children.'
: : An IDIOM is an expression whose meaning can't be derived simply by hearing it, such as 'Kick the bucket.'
We learn something new everyday.
-TGO
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