The Nineteenth Century in Print: Periodicals
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Aphorisms
An aphorism is a succinct and clever statement that presents a point of view or a general truth. In a column entitled "Bric-A-Brac," The Century magazine regularly featured aphorisms under the title "Uncle Esek's Wisdom." Here are two examples from May 1888:
Vanity is a disease, and there is no cure for it this side of the grave, and even there it will often break out anew on the tombstone.
Freedom is the law of God, and yet if man could have his way, one half of creation would be abject slaves to the other half.
From "Uncle Esek's Wisdom," The Century, Volume 36, Issue 1, May 1888
Read examples from "Uncle Esek's Wisdom" in various issues of The Century.
- What values are reflected in Uncle Esek's column?
- Pick an aphorism that you especially like. What the point of view or truth does the aphorism express?
- What do you like about the way the aphorism is phrased?
- Why do you think aphorisms were popular in the nineteenth century? Are they popular today? Cite examples to support your answer.
- How can you make a point through short witty writing? Use "Uncle Esek's Wisdom" as a guide and write several aphorisms of your own.