Consultant Dan
20 January 2011
What is the mood of 2011?
If you have been to this website, read a letter from me or seen my business card then you will know that I like a good aphorism. It is a key aspect of my company’s communications style.
Our Twitty generation is not the first to admire concise, witty expression. Aphorisms have a rich history and anyone interested should read James Geary’s excellent work.
Here are some of the funnier examples from Geary’s Guide to the World’s Great Aphorists:
“In order to discover who you are, first learn who everybody else is, and you’re whats left.” Ashleigh Brilliant
“My one regret in life is that I am not somebody else.” Woody Allen
“Its not bragging if you can back it up.” Mohammed Ali
I also have a serious reason to use aphorisms; they quickly sort the wheat from the chaff. Most people who are on the same wavelength as you are, will instantly agree with a saying that you think is clever or funny. Likewise, most people who are never likely to agree with your way of thinking will probably find your taste in aphorisms trite or obscurantist.
After watching The King’s Speech recently, I decided to choose a Winston Churchill quote as the new aphorism for 2011:
“However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results.”
I am keeping a collection of other aphorisms to use in the future so please share any good ones below.
RSS