What is an aphorism?

An aphorism is indeed a concise statement that reflects a common belief or principle, often encapsulating a general truth in a pithy and memorable way. These sayings are typically easy to understand and convey wisdom or insight about human nature or the world. Aphorisms can be found in various forms of literature, philosophy, and everyday conversation, often serving as a form of advice or reflection.

The other options do not accurately describe an aphorism. A lengthy poetic expression with complex themes would refer to a narrative or verse form that is quite the opposite of the brevity characteristic of an aphorism. A rhetorical question is a figure of speech used to make a point rather than to elicit an answer, which differs significantly from the straightforward nature of an aphorism. Lastly, dramatic irony involves a situation where the audience knows something that the characters do not, which is unrelated to the definition of an aphorism. Thus, option B is correctly aligned with the definition and role of an aphorism in literature and language.