--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Perhaps the excellence of aphorisms…" description: "\"“Perhaps the excellence of aphorisms consists not so much in the expression of some rare or abstruse sentiment, as in the comprehension of some obvious..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d0c/samuel-johnson-50_aphorisms_perhaps-the-excellence-of-aphorisms-cons_2591434.png" --- # Perhaps the excellence of aphorisms consists not so much… ![“Perhaps the excellence of aphorisms consists not so much in the expression of some rare or abstruse sentiment, as in the comprehension of some obvious and useful truth in a few words. We frequently fall into error and folly, not because the true principles of action are not known, but because, for…” quote by Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d0c/samuel-johnson-50_aphorisms_perhaps-the-excellence-of-aphorisms-cons_2591434.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d0c/samuel-johnson-50_aphorisms_perhaps-the-excellence-of-aphorisms-cons_2591434.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d0c/samuel-johnson-50_aphorisms_perhaps-the-excellence-of-aphorisms-cons_2591434.png) > ““Perhaps the excellence of aphorisms consists not so much in the expression of some rare or abstruse sentiment, as in the comprehension of some obvious and useful truth in a few words. We frequently fall into error and folly, not because the true principles of action are not known, but because, for a time, they are not remembered; and he may therefore be justly numbered among the benefactors of mankind who contracts the great rules of life into short sentences, that may be easily impressed on the memory, and taught by frequent recollection to recur habitually to the mind.”” [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Aphorisms succeed by distilling obvious, useful truths into concise statements that aid memory and habit. **In simple terms:** Short truths help us remember and act. Key Takeaway Use concise sayings to reinforce good habits. Themes wisdom memory habit formation Mood reflective instructive Type philosophical educational When to use this quote - public speaking - teaching - self‑improvement - leadership Key Concepts aphorism cognitive psychology education Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance brevity with depth? - When might a short saying mislead? A Different Perspective Complex ideas may be oversimplified, losing nuance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abstruse Sentiment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abstruse-sentiment-1865187/) [Aphorisms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aphorisms/) [Aphorisms Consists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aphorisms-consists-1865186/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Excellence Aphorisms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excellence-aphorisms-1865185/) [Rules of life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rules-of-life/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) [Truth Words](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth-words-706595/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) ## Related quotes > [The excellence of aphorisms consists not so much in the expression of some rare or abstruse sentiment, as in the comprehension of some useful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-excellence-of-aphorisms-consists-not-so-much-in-the-expression-of/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [We frequently fall into error and folly, not because the true principles of action are not known, but because for a time they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/we-frequently-fall-into-error-and-folly-not-because-the-true/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [He is a benefactor of mankind who contracts the great rules of life into the short sentences, that may be easily impressed on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/he-is-a-benefactor-of-mankind-who-contracts-the-great-rules-of-life/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [If your ACTIONS do not prove the TRUTH of your WORDS, then your words are nothing more than LIES!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/if-your-actions-do-not-prove-the-truth-of-your-words-then-your-words/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [Never let your soul be silenced. Live life out loud. Every day tell your truth not with words but with actions from your heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cory-booker/never-let-your-soul-be-silenced-live-life-out-loud-every-day-tell/) [Cory Booker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cory-booker/) > [“The teller has no responsibility to make the listener believe in the truth. Each must take the words and make them their own. No…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-gran/the-teller-has-no-responsibility-to-make-the-listener-believe-in-the/) [Sara Gran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-gran/) > [“Oh, now, life, life! I lifted up my hands and called upon eternal truth, not with words, but with tears; ecstasy, immeasurable ecstasy flooded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoyevsky/oh-now-life-life-i-lifted-up-my-hands-and-called-upon-eternal-truth/) [Fyodor Dostoyevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoyevsky/) > [“Reader, do not doubt the truth of my words, for the tale I tell is a lie from beginning to end. It is often…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/no-mi-sz-csi/reader-do-not-doubt-the-truth-of-my-words-for-the-tale-i-tell-is-a/) [Noémi Szécsi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/no-mi-sz-csi/) > [“Maybe you're just addicted to the truth and not my words.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mwanandeke-kindembo/maybe-you-re-just-addicted-to-the-truth-and-not-my-words/) [Mwanandeke Kindembo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mwanandeke-kindembo/) > [When we try to describe the truth with words, we distort it and it's no longer truth--it's our story. The story may be true…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-we-try-to-describe-the-truth-with-words-we-distort-it-and-it-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I believe that words uttered in passion contain a greater living truth than do those words which express thoughts rationally conceived. It is blood…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-believe-that-words-uttered-in-passion-contain-a-greater-living/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Putting thoughts into words is vastly different from putting truth into words. For words are not truth. As ardently as writers sort and select…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lionel-fisher/putting-thoughts-into-words-is-vastly-different-from-putting-truth/) [Lionel Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lionel-fisher/) > [“Think about it this way--our actions speak truth our words cannot.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-hayes/think-about-it-this-way-our-actions-speak-truth-our-words-cannot/) [Suzanne Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-hayes/) > [Be in the spirit of Truth and any words you speak are in alignment with that spirit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mooji/be-in-the-spirit-of-truth-and-any-words-you-speak-are-in-alignment/) [Mooji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mooji/) > [Searching for the Truth through words and speech is like sticking your head in a bowl of glue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yuanwu-keqin/searching-for-the-truth-through-words-and-speech-is-like-sticking/) [Yuanwu Keqin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yuanwu-keqin/) ## More by Samuel Johnson > [The size of a man's understanding might always be justly measured by his mirth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-size-of-a-man-s-understanding-might-always-be-justly-measured-by/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Pound St. Paul's Church into atoms, and consider any single atom; it is to be sure, good for nothing; but put all these atoms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/pound-st-paul-s-church-into-atoms-and-consider-any-single-atom-it-is/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [You can never be wise unless you love reading.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/you-can-never-be-wise-unless-you-love-reading/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [If our aim is to praise, we should forget to criticize; if our aim is to criticize, we should remember to praise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/if-our-aim-is-to-praise-we-should-forget-to-criticize-if-our-aim-is/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [All theory is against free will; all experience is for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/all-theory-is-against-free-will-all-experience-is-for-it/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Had I learned to fiddle, I should have done nothing else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/had-i-learned-to-fiddle-i-should-have-done-nothing-else/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [It is as foolish to make experiments upon the constancy of a friend, as upon the chastity of a wife.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/it-is-as-foolish-to-make-experiments-upon-the-constancy-of-a-friend/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Resolve not to be poor: whatever you have, spend less. Poverty is a great enemy to human happiness; it certainly destroys liberty, and it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/resolve-not-to-be-poor-whatever-you-have-spend-less-poverty-is-a/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [The basis of all excellence is truth: he that professes love ought to feel its power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-basis-of-all-excellence-is-truth-he-that-professes-love-ought-to/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Words are daughters of earth but ideas are sons of heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/words-are-daughters-of-earth-but-ideas-are-sons-of-heaven/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [“The composition of Shakespeare is a forest, in which oaks extend in the air, interspersed sometimes with weeds and brambles, and sometimes giving shelting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-composition-of-shakespeare-is-a-forest-in-which-oaks-extend-in/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [“The cherubim were never intended as an object of worship, because they were only the appendices to another thing. But a thing is then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-cherubim-were-never-intended-as-an-object-of-worship-because-they/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Nobody has the right to put another under such a difficulty that he must either hurt the person by telling the truth or hurt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/nobody-has-the-right-to-put-another-under-such-a-difficulty-that-he/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [That kind of life is most happy which affords us most opportunities of gaining our own self-esteem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/that-kind-of-life-is-most-happy-which-affords-us-most-opportunities/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [The time will come to every human being when it must be known how well he can bear to die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-time-will-come-to-every-human-being-when-it-must-be-known-how/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) [Explore all 1,998 Samuel Johnson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) ## More Aphorisms quotes > [“Some women walk towards a better future. Others have chauffeurs.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ljupka-cvetanova/some-women-walk-towards-a-better-future-others-have-chauffeurs/) [Ljupka Cvetanova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ljupka-cvetanova/) > [“For their never-ending endeavours to obtain or retain wealth, countries desperately need companies, because they—unlike most human beings—have the means of production, and human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/for-their-never-ending-endeavours-to-obtain-or-retain-wealth/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [“If you send someone a snarky Tweet, does that make you an Angry Bird?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/avram-ohm/if-you-send-someone-a-snarky-tweet-does-that-make-you-an-angry-bird/) [Avram Ohm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/avram-ohm/) > [“An expensive coffin does not decrease the deceased’s chances of going to hell.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/an-expensive-coffin-does-not-decrease-the-deceased-s-chances-of-going/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [“A premature death does not only rob one of the countless instances where one would have experienced pleasure, it also saves one from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/a-premature-death-does-not-only-rob-one-of-the-countless-instances/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [“The real purpose of the opposition is to minimize the amount of money the ruling party will have stolen from the people at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/the-real-purpose-of-the-opposition-is-to-minimize-the-amount-of-money/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [“This is the point where the knowing, irony-infused author laughs along with his readers about his time among the aphorisms, how he was once…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-carr/this-is-the-point-where-the-knowing-irony-infused-author-laughs-along/) [David Carr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-carr/) > [“People who smile while they are alone used to be called insane, until we invented smartphones and social media.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/people-who-smile-while-they-are-alone-used-to-be-called-insane-until/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [“Some people’s self-esteem was secretly improved when they discovered that their then-lovers had killed themselves over them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/some-people-s-self-esteem-was-secretly-improved-when-they-discovered/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [“Never fear being wrong, just staying wrong.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-m-driscoll/never-fear-being-wrong-just-staying-wrong/) [W.M. 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Driscoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-m-driscoll/) > [The old aphorisms are basically sound. First impressions are lasting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessie-redmon-fauset/the-old-aphorisms-are-basically-sound-first-impressions-are-lasting/) [Jessie Redmon Fauset](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessie-redmon-fauset/) [Browse all 249 Aphorisms quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aphorisms/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Perhaps the excellence of aphorisms consists not so much in the expression of some rare or abstruse sentiment, as in the comprehension of some obvious and useful truth in a few words. 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