Truisms

Truisms are statements that are true by virtue of common experience or widely held beliefs, and that require little or no evidence to support them. The term is built from true plus the noun-forming suffix -ism, and it has been used since the 18th or 19th century to describe self-evident propositions that people accept as common sense.

Truisms often express general observations about human life, nature, or society. They are not intended to be novel insights but rather convenient summaries of widely experienced realities. They can function as rhetorical devices, signaling alignment with shared values or inviting readers to reflect on familiar patterns. Distinctions are sometimes drawn between truisms and clichés or platitudes; a truism emphasizes truth, while a cliché may prioritize familiarity over accuracy.

Common examples include phrases such as time heals all wounds, what goes around comes around, you reap what you sow, and you can't have your cake and eat it too. Some truisms are proverbs that have passed through cultures, while others are contemporary sayings that are taken as obvious. In literature and debate, truisms can be used to establish common ground or to underscore a point with minimal argument.

Critics note that truisms can be misleading if treated as universally applicable or timeless, since contexts vary and exceptions exist. They can also oversimplify complex issues or reflect social biases. Nevertheless, truisms remain a recognizable feature of everyday language, offering concise, shared references that can frame discussion or highlight common experiences.