apothegm

Apothegm, Apophthegm, n.

Etymology: [Gr.

A short, pithy, and instructive saying; a terse remark, conveying some important truth; a sententious precept or maxim.

Note: [Apothegm is now the prevalent spelling in the United States.]

Shades of meaning

Fernald has no entry of its own for apothegm; he lists it under proverb.

Where he writes about it:

An apothegm is a terse statement of what is plain or easily proved. — from proverb

The aphorism is philosophical, the apothegm practical. — from proverb

none given