Aphorism – A pithy observation that contains a general truth; a terse formulation of a principle.

Every year, Mr. Sanford’s AP Literature classes delve into the word of figurative language and come out with a wider understanding of the English language and the skills to craft fun, grammatically correct sayings about life and the human condition. Many people have heard of aphorisms before without knowing what they were called, and may have even used some of their own. Famous aphorisms include Benjamin Franklin’s “Life’s tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late,” and Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.”

Here are ten different aphorisms written by Fossil Ridge High School seniors:

“Life is tiring, but if you fall asleep, it won’t wait for you to wake up.” – Henry Williams

“A closed mind is as effective as driving a boat on land.” – Tayler Baca

“When life kicks you down you need to get back up faster than it can knock you down again.” – Ian Moon

“Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.” – Olivia Carter

“When you have nothing, what is there to lose?” – Dom Gibson

“Community only grows when the individual does.” – Jordyn Dame

“Don’t run until the end of time, we all get there eventually. Walk and enjoy the scenery.” – Matt Miller

“Life itself is selfish, never pretend you deserve something.” – William Schmitt

“You don’t know who you are until you look back and see what you were.” – Blake Ferguson

“Youth is a blunder; manhood is a struggle; old age is a regret.” – Curtis Lyons