Aphorisms

Last week in Comp 1 we learned about aphorisms. An aphorism is a brief statement of truth. We were given many examples so we would understand what they were. A few are little sayings that most everyone knows.

Spare the rod and spoil the child.

A new broom sweeps clean.

Marry in haste; repent in leisure.

Good fences make good neighbors.

One assignment was to write 5 of our own. I started writing one thing, but I couldn’t narrow the idea down to a brief saying, so it ended up as a (Very) short story. I didn’t turn it in, but I’ll share it here anyway.

100 years ago, little Billy pulled little Suzy’s hair, and the teacher sat him in the corner. When he got home his father gave him a spanking.

100 years later little Timmy pulled little Katie's hair, and the teacher sat him in the corner. When he got home his father filed a lawsuit against the school and the teacher was fired.

I did eventually come up with 5 aphorisms of my own.

1. If you want a job done, tell someone to do it. If you want a job done well, ASK someone to do it.

2. Give money to the needy and you have helped them for the day. Give skills to the needy and you have helped them for life.

3. Everyone knows "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". Except for bosses.

4. Telling people to work harder produces the opposite effect.

5. Watch your language, or your kid will for you.