Aphorism: A terse expression of a universal truth. Example of Aphorism-
"Wives are young men's mistresses; companions for middle age; and old men's nurses."
(Bacon: "Of Marriage and Single Life")
The use of aphorism reflects the depth of an author's personal experience. It is different from a proverb: a proverb is an anonymous expression of a general truth while an aphorisms are individual.