The Oxford Book of Aphorisms

by John Gross (Compiler)

The dictionary defines "aphorism" as "a short pithy statement or maxim," but beneath this definition lies a wealth of wit and insight to which neither the word nor any brief description can do justice. This delightful anthology demonstrates just how rewarding the aphorism can be and how
brilliantly the aphorist can illuminate a hidden truth or reveal the ironies of life.
Whatever the situation, whatever the mood, the reader will find in this international array of aphorisms just the right words to give his or her feeling pungent expression. The classic aphorists--La Bruyère, Nietzsche, both Samuel Butlers, La Rochefoucault, Emerson--are here in abundance, as
are the philosophers from the Greeks of Paul Valéry, the social commentators from Edmund Burke to Walter Benjamin. Statesmen and scientists, Olympians and gadflies, mystics and boulevardiers--this collection brings together the most diverse figures, drawing freely on ancients and moderns, on the
widsom of East and West, juxtaposing viewpoints as different as those of Jean Cocteau and George Orwell, Ambrose Bierce and Marcus Aurelius, Lord Chesterfield and Elias Canetti. Profound, provocative, and vastly entertaining, The Oxford Book of Aphorisms will lure the reader back to its pages time
and again. The book is fully indexed, and wherever possible, sources, dates, and complete names are supplied.

Genres: Philosophy, Reference, Nonfiction, Writing, Literature, Language

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

John Gross was the editor of The Times Literary Supplement in London, a senior book editor and book critic on the staff of The New York Times in New York, and theatre critic for The Sunday Telegraph. He was also literary editor of The New Statesman and Spectator magazines.

Reviews

[Uxküll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Painstakingly assembled and categorized, John Gross has greatly impressed with this collection which exudes wit and insight, as (most) aphorisms should.

The titular aphorisms are expertly arranged into loose yet decisive categories, beginning and ending in ouroboric fashion with aphorisms about aphorisms and the aphorists themselves. The topics in between include: Mankind, Self-Doubt, Illusion and Reality, The Arts of Success, etc.

Sourced from many authors the reader may already be familiar with, Nietzsche, Schopenhauer, Goethe, Cioran, Stendhal, Gracián, Dostoevsky, Proust, Chesterton, Johnson, Blake, and Bacon, just to name a few. One is also introduced to a panoply of figures lesser known but equally deserving when it comes to aphorisms at the very least, Vauvenargues, Lichtenberg, Sir Thomas Browne, La Bruyere, Yoshida Kenko, and the anonymous author(s) of "Characters and Observation".

Although there certainly cannot be a 'definitive' collection of aphorisms due to the definition of the aphorism, which eludes the attempt at closure a treatise or academic monograph typically attempts, this book, with its aforementioned ouroboric structure counts as the nearest and best attempt at such a Herculean and seemingly Sisyphean feat. That is the best praise I can think of at present, and with that said I wholly recommend reading this magisterial tome.

4.7 of 5 Stars

[Graychin · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is no end to the collecting of aphorisms, I’m sure, but John Gross has made a collection which it is difficult to imagine could ever be surpassed. The selection is deep and historically informed. The editing and organizing into thematic sections is wonderful. It’s engaging, often profound, often hilarious, and gives a sense of a vast cultural conversation across the centuries. Before I pack them off to college I plan to give each of my children a copy of this book. In its 380 or so pages it delivers a certain kind of education in Western culture (curious, hopeful, skeptical, ironic) that they’re not likely to get in the classroom. I spent a year reading this book a bit at a time and I expect to find myself returning to with real pleasure for the rest of my life.

[brian tanabe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE aphorisms! Aphorisms are for the lazy intellect!

[Harry Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't relate to many of the aphorisms. They felt a bit aged to me.

That said, the ones that I did like ... I wrote them down.
You know, we like to think that we are smarter than the people living centuries ago ... but actually, if you look at some of these aphorisms, you will realize that a lot of ideas that we have today are not that new.

[Writemoves · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing. I agree with the Goodreads reviewer about the book being “aged.” So many aphorisms published in the 365 page paperback and so little that caught my eye and ear for being

brief
witty
entertaining
wise
memorable
insightful

[Serin Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a resource tool for creative writers - and a good one at that!

[Bonnie Ustaszewski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Several quotes resonated with me in this compilation. I also appreciated the fact the chapters were separated by subject.

[Ronel Janse van Vuuren · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was highly recommended, but I found it a bit meh. Perhaps because I’ve read/heard it all before?

[James Dempsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forever useful and consoling. A collection of instant gratification and pacification. This book of pith is well suited to the modern age; our golden age of petulance, simplicity and false toleration. My love of the aphorism stems from being a product of this mighty age. I think that this book would would make for a great though thoughtless christmas present. I would highly recommended it.