aph·o·rism 
(ăfə-rĭz′əm)
(ăfə-rĭz′əm)n.
1. A tersely phrased statement of a truth or opinion; an adage. See Synonyms at saying.
2. A brief statement of a scientific principle.
[French aphorisme, from Old French, from Late Latin aphorismus, from Greek aphorismos, from aphorizein, to delimit, define : apo-, apo- + horizein, to delimit, define; see HORIZON.]
apho·rist n.
aph′o·ristic (-rĭstĭk) adj.
aph′o·risti·cal·ly adv.