1. Aphorisms

2. Aphorism 1. A short phrase that expresses a wise or true idea.
synonyms: saying, maxim, axiom, adage, epigram, dictum, gnome, proverb, saw, tag; rareapophthegm.
2. A concise statement of a principle.
3. A terse formulation of a truth or sentiment.

3. Examples
“The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” William Faulkner
“Life’s Tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late.” Benjamin Franklin
“Those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.” Bernard Baruch
“I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” Evelyn Beatrice Hall
The old law of ‘an eye for an eye’ leaves everyone blind.” Martin Luther King Jr.
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Lao Tzu
“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view— until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” Harper Lee
“Do or do not; there is no try.” Yoda

4. Other Examples of Aphorisms
Better safe than sorry.
An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
A dog is a man’s best friend.
A little learning is a dangerous thing.
A man’s home is his castle.
A penny saved is a penny earned.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Actions speak louder than words.
All for one and one for all.
Carpe Diem—seize the day.
All that glitters is not gold.
All the world’s a stage.
All things come to those who wait.
All is fair in love and war.
All is well that ends well.
April showers bring May flowers.
Appearances can be deceiving.
Out of the frying pan and into the frier.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Bad news travels fast.
Better late than never.

5. Morrie’s aphorisms . . .
“Instead, Morrie had become a lightning rod of ideas. He jotted down his thoughts on yellow pads, envelopes, folders, scrap paper After a while, he had more than fifty of these “aphorisms,” which he shared with friends.”

6. “Morrie-isms” “Once you learn how to die, you learn how to live”
“Love each other, or perish.”
“Devote yourself to what gives you meaning.”
“The culture we have does not make people feel good about themselves. And you have to be strong enough to say if the culture doesn’t work, don’t buy it.”
“Nothing haunts us like the things we don’t say.”
“All the love you created is still there. All the memories are still there. You live on—in the hearts of everyone you have touched and nurtured while you were here Death ends a life, not a relationship.”
“So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they’re busy doing things they think are important. This is because they’re chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.”

7. Aphorism essay
In lieu of a test at the end of the book, I propose we all find an aphorism—a “Morrie-ism”—that suits us
You have two options for this assignment:
1. Make your own aphorism. Find a phrase or saying that you feel is important. It needs to be something you feel strongly about. You will write a two (2) page essay on this aphorism.
2. Find a “Morrie-ism” that is important to you—that speaks to you. You will write a two (2) page essay on this aphorism.
Start looking for or developing your aphorisms NOW!
I want you to start thinking about what you would want to have as an aphorism now. Be thinking about what is important to you, or note something Morrie says that speaks to you. Next time, we will talk more about this essay and go over the rubric, which I will later post online.