The Oxford Book of Aphorisms  (English, Paperback, unknown)

An aphorism is "a short pithy statement or maxim," but beneath this definition lies a wealth of wit and insight to which neither the word nor a brief description can do justice.

This anthology demonstrates just how rewarding an art form the aphorism can be, and just how brilliantly the aphorism can illuminate the hidden truth, or lay bare the ironies of existence. Specific sections on desires and longings, self-doubt, fame and reputations, happiness and sorrow, cover the whole range of aphoristic literature. This book brings together the most diverse figures--the classic aphorists, like La Rochefoucauld; the philosophers, from the Greeks to Samuel Johnson to Virginia Woolf--as well as statesmen, scientists, boulevardiers, Olympians, and gadflies. John Gross draws on their wisdom and wit to produce an anthology that will be referred to time and time again.

Salient Features

• Includes sections on desires and longings, self-doubt, fame and reputations, happiness and sorrow, covering the whole range of aphoristic literature.
• Brings together the most diverse figures, e.g. La Rochefoucauld, Greek philosophers, Virginia Woolf, statesmen, scientists, and Olympians
• Wide appeal to gift, literary, and anthologies market
• 'And now, from the people who bring you the best anthologies, one of their best anthologies' Sunday Times