| apothegm |
| Definition: The saying of an important truth in a few memorable words. |
| Example:
Johnson suddenly uttered … an apophthegm, at which many will start: ‘Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.' (from Boswell's Life of Johnson (1816) II. 360) |
| Etymology: The word derives from the Greek apophthegma, terse or pointed saying (literally: something clearly spoken). |
| OED: Its first OED citation is from 1553–87: "Another Apothegma of D. Taylor." (Foxe A. & M. III. 145, marginal note) |