ap·o·thegm also ap·o·phthegm 
(ăpə-thĕm′)
(ăpə-thĕm′)n.
A terse, witty, instructive saying; a maxim.
[Greek apophthegma, from apophthengesthai, to speak plainly : apo-, intensive pref.; see APO- + phthengesthai, phtheg-, to speak.]
ap′o·theg·matic (-thĕg-mătĭk), ap′o·theg·mati·cal (-ĭ-kəl) adj.
ap′o·theg·mati·cal·ly adv.