Aphorism

"Hold your head up", said the executioner, putting on the noose.

Stanislaw Jerzy Lec

Stanisław Jerzy Lec (6 March 1909 – 7 May 1966) (born baron Stanisław Jerzy de Tusch-Letz) was a Polish poet and aphorist of Polish and Jewish noble origin. Often mentioned among the greatest writers of post-WW2 Poland. One of the most influential aphorists on the 20th century.

He was born on March 6, 1909 in Lviv (then Lemberg, Austro-Hungarian Empire), the son of the baron Benon de Tusch-Letz and Adela Safrin. His well-educated parents were noted Jewish eccentrics who converted to Protestantism in a Catholic country.

How can you not become an aphorist when your father gives himself the name "Letz"?!