An aphorism, according to Merriam-Webster, is “a terse formulation of a truth or sentiment.” I don’t promise that any of the following express true or worthy sentiments, but they are terse. Let’s prepare for the year 2023 with these nuggets of wisdom:
• It is easier to forgive an enemy than forgive a friend.
• Life sends endless gifts of love to Death, who keeps them forever.
• According to the rain, floods are good and just.
• It is easier to fool someone than convince them that they have been fooled.
• A liar should have an outstanding memory.
• You cannot wake someone pretending to be asleep.
• Stupidity is a terrible opponent to wrestle.
Sue Burke 
Not an aphorism but an anedcote. Neuroscientists, on a cognition test, put forth a scenario about being attacked and then ask the question, Which person will be more afraid in the future? A) a person attacked near her or his home, B) a person attacked in a strange place, or C) they will both be equally afraid. Most people pick B) or C0. However, the answer is actually (according to neuroscientists) answer A.
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Makes sense to me. An attack near home means that home itself is in danger.
Another aphorism: It’s a bad plan if it can’t be changed.
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That’s why I always love your posts, Sue! However to be honest, I am not sure if I would known the “correct” answer had I not read the article (I am not a neuroscientist). Although the “correct” answer you gave makes sense to me. It turns out, however, that many people answer “incorrectly” because they reason that the test is trying to trick them and, instead of going the answer that makes sense to them, they try to “cheat” the test because they assume wrongly that the logical answer they wish to use must be the wrong answer. To quote Ambrose Bierce, “Truth is stranger than fiction.”
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And fiction can never be quite as strange as reality because readers won’t believe it.
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