In 400 BC Hippocrates published ‘Aphorism’. It contained ‘truths’ which he felt would be apt and helpful for people who wished to study medicine. It included ‘gems’ like:

A woman does not become ambidextrous.

If the summer be dry and northerly and the autumn rainy and southerly, headaches occur in winter, with coughs, hoarsenesses, coryzae, and in some cases consumptions.

This chapter features slightly more apt aphorisms for today’s needs, as well as proverbs and more besides –such as speech writing. In all cases, keep in mind the words of one of my favourite essayists, Andre Gide:

Everything has been said before, but since nobody listens we have to keep going back and beginning all over again.

[Mind you, one does learn from one’s mistakes.]