Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Apothegm \Ap"o*thegm\, Apophthegm \Ap"oph*thegm\, n. [Gr.
   'apo`fqegma thing uttered, apothegm, from 'apofqe`ggesqai to
   speak out; 'apo` from + fqe`ggesqai to speak.]
   A short, pithy, and instructive saying; a terse remark,
   conveying some important truth; a sententious precept or
   maxim.

   Note: [Apothegm is now the prevalent spelling in the United
         States.]

Source : WordNet®

apothegm
     n : a short pithy instructive saying [syn: {aphorism}, {apophthegm}]