Aphorism and Other Short Forms

<p>The aphorism captures a huge amount of truth meaning or wit in a very short statement. It has been used and studied from classical times to contemporary theory and takes on a new relevance when we look at today’s communication media such as text messages and twitter. This concise guide offers an overview of:</p><ul> <li>The history of the aphorism to the present day</li> <li>Its relation to other short forms including the fragment the proverb the maxim the haiku the epigram and the quotation</li> <li>The use of the aphorism by authors such as Heraclitus Bacon La Rochefoucauld Chuang Tzu Blake Schlegel Emerson Nietzsche Wilde Woolf and Barthes</li> <li>The interdisciplinary nature of the aphorism bringing together science philosophy literature and religion</li> </ul><p>Exploring all the key aspects of the form Ben Grant guides readers through this large and lively area in a wide-ranging and critically informed study of the aphorism.</p>