An APHORISM, ADAGE, GNOME, and TERSE are all terms used to describe a short pithy instructive saying. An APHORISM is a concise statement that expresses a general truth or moral principle. An ADAGE is a proverb or short saying expressing a general truth. A GNOME is a short pithy saying expressing a general truth or rule of conduct. Lastly, a TERSE is a brief, pointed, and often witty expression. All of these terms refer to a short pithy instructive saying, which is a phrase that conveys a moral lesson or wisdom in a succinct manner.