Merriam Press Literary Series. An aphorism (from Greek aphorismos, denoting "delimitation," "distinction," and "definition") is a concise, terse, laconic, and/or memorable expression of a general truth or principle. They are often handed down by tradition from generation to generation. An aphorism is generally understood to be a concise and eloquent statement of truth: "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." (Lord Acton) "The true dosage of aphorisms: minimum words maximum sense." (Mark Twain)