Which term describes a concise statement that expresses a truth cleverly?

• A. Aphorism
• B. Epiphany
• C. Cliffhanger
• D. Foreshadowing

Answer: (A)

A concise statement that expresses a truth in a clever, memorable way is called an aphorism. Aphorisms pack a general insight or principle into a short, witty line, making the truth easy to recall and often applicable across situations. For example, a line like “Actions speak louder than words” conveys a broad truth about the importance of behavior over talk in a compact, punchy form.

Epiphany refers to a sudden realization or insight that changes someone’s understanding, not a short statement that expresses a general truth. Cliffhanger is a narrative device that creates suspense by leaving the outcome unresolved, and foreshadowing hints at what might happen later in a story. These serve different purposes in storytelling rather than delivering a concise, clever truth.