Luccaph Characteristics

In a luccaph, the scope of the word “aphorism” is expanded to include all other types of short fragmentary writing. An aphorism can be a thought, a joke, a bit of free verse, a loose haiku, an image, a glance, a paradox, an observation - almost anything, as long as it's short.

How short? There are no rules.

To justify the expansion of this word to all short fragmentary writing I go back to its first use in Hippocrates famous book, 'Aphorisms' in ca. 400BC. This medical book has 412 separate statements with an average length of 23 words each. They are more like single facts or observations than general principles of wisdom or truth. They are neither definitive, nor personal, nor philosophical nor do they have a “twist” that the author James Geary describes in 4 of his 5 “laws” of aphorisms. They are only brief, Geary's first “law”. Furthermore, the etymology of “aphorism” comes from the word horizon, to bound or limit. Personal, twisting, definitive philosophy is not part of its origin.

An aphorism stands, lives and vibrates on its own.

An aphorism, being short and self-contained, releases the reader quickly. It does not create a mental or emotional world for the reader to live in. This distinguishes it from almost all other forms of literature.

An aphorism can be illogical or paradoxical. It is different than logical discourse.

Aphorisms are often playful.

Aphorisms are often seen as clever tidbits of wisdom. They are more than that. They are a means to express a philosophy or a spirit.

Aphorisms are non-commercial. They are gifts from your spirit to yourself and possibly others. They require very little work, only good ears. Selling them will corrupt you and them.

Attempts to categorize your aphorisms lead to an essay or logical analysis. Within a category you start filling in the missing parts. You start changing the wording of each aphorism so it fits into a broad system. The aphorism loses its chance to be a symbol, a lonely inspiration, a tickler of the subconscious.

It's better to resist the temptation to revise, expand or explain your aphorism - trust its original wording, its original inspiration. If the urge is too great, make a new aphorism instead. If you like the new one better, put it higher in your luccaph than the old one.

The uncategorized luccaph achieves a unity or "theme" or "story" because all the aphorisms come from one person.

Forget about the mob and professional critics. Write aphorisms for your children or grandchildren. Write them for a dear or unknown friend.  Write them for the times when you forget the best in yourself.