Here are some artful aphorisms?

Question

An aphorism is a silly statement that actually has truth to it.

-If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried.
-A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking.
-Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.
-For every action, there is an equal and opposite criticism.
-Success always occurs in private, and failure in full view.
-To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research.
-Don't sweat petty things... or pet sweaty things.
-Bills travel through the mail at twice the speed of checks.
-Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now.

Try to come up with some.

Answer 1

Hi! Just a friendly correction. :) An aphorism CAN be a silly-sounding statement, but not all aphorisms are silly, and that's definitely NOT part of the actual definition. Here are 2 good definitions of aphorism:

1. "A terse saying embodying a general truth, or astute observation."
2. "A concise and often witty statement of wisdom or opinion, such as 'Children should be seen and not heard,' or 'People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.'"

And now here are some of my personal faves. As you'll see, they are inspiring rather than silly. (In my life, I can use all the feel-good sayings I can find!)
"If you want the rainbow, you have to put up with the rain."
"It's better to light one candle, than to curse the darkness."
"A ship in the harbor is safe, but that's not what ships are for."

Answer 2

Birds have bills too...but they're always singing.

But I have to agree. Aphorisms are NOT all silly.

Answer 3

He who dies with the most toys...is dead.
People take drugs because...drugs work.