The aphorism: An economical expression of an obvious truth

I have always had a weakness for aphorisms. Really good ones impart instructive truths with a wry smile. Among some frequently quoted favorites are Oscar Wilde’s definition of hypocrisy “vice’s tribute to virtue” and Dr Samuel Johnson’s observation on second marriages “the triumph of hope over experience.”

Recently a friend sent me a collection of aphorisms that were entirely new to me. I’d like to share them with you:

1. The nicest thing about the future is that it always starts tomorrow.
2. Money will buy a fine dog but only kindness will make him wag his tail.
3. If you don’t have a sense of humor you probably don’t have any sense at all.
4. Seat belts are not as confining as wheelchairs.
5. A good time to keep your mouth shut is when you’re in deep water.
6. How come it takes so little time for a child who is afraid of the dark to become a teenager who wants to stay out all night?
7. Business conventions are important because they demonstrate how many people a company can operate without.
8. Why is it that at class reunions you feel younger than everyone else looks?
9. Stroke a cat and you will have a permanent job.
10. No one has more driving ambition than the teenage boy who wants to buy a car
11. There are no new sins; the old ones just get more publicity.
12. There are worse things than getting a call for a wrong number at 4 a.m—for example, it could be the right number.
13. No one ever says “It’s only a game” when their team is winning.
14. I’ve reached the age where ‘happy hour’ is a nap.
15. Be careful about reading the fine print—there’s no way you’re going to like it.
16. he trouble with bucket seats is that not everybody has the same size bucket.
17. Do you realize that, in about 40 years, we’ll have thousands of old ladies running around with tattoos?
18. Money can’t buy happiness but somehow it’s more comfortable to cry in a Cadillac than in a Ford.
19. After 80, if you don’t wake up aching in every joint, you’re probably dead.
20. Always be yourself because the people who matter don’t mind and the ones who mind don’t matter.
21. Life isn’t tied with a bow but it’s still a gift.