Writing Proverbs

The technical term is aphorism, a short saying that expresses a generally understood truth. Whether we call them proverbs, sayings, truisms, or maxims, their impact comes from being short, catchy, and easy to remember.
Our Bible contains an entire book of proverbs. The Israelites had a common saying: “The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge,” meaning that children are victims of their parents’ sins and shouldn’t be blamed for wrongdoing. Two prophets commanded Israel never to use that saying, because it wasn’t true. We control our own actions, are individually responsible, and should never blame others for our failures (Jeremiah 31:29–30; Ezekiel 18:2–3).
When I write an aphorism, I call them frankisms, a play on my name and the frank, or honest, expression of my perception of reality.
Here are a few that I’ve written recently:
  • Our authority on truth is whatever we choose to listen to.
  • Life without Christ is a dungeon without Son light.
  • A book title is like a needle in a haystack—forever lost unless its brilliance grabs attention.
  • Tools have no value unless they are used.
  • Over-extend yourself, and you’ll forever be playing “catch up.”
  • Live within your means, and you’ll always have enough.
  • Effort must rise to the level of the dream or the dream will fall to the level of the effort.
  • The more useless rubble you dig through, the more likely you will find gold nuggets.
  • An untold story is as valuable as a diamond forever locked in a safe.
  • Satan is the master of deception, unless we see how masterfully we deceive ourselves.