aphorism

name	aphorism
description	Aphorism database for citable lines. Distinguishes between user aphorisms (own, go to TELOS WISDOM.md) and external aphorisms (from other authors, go to a separate aphorism database). Supports search, categorisation, citation format, and retrieval for chronicles/scripts. [WHAT] Quote database where each aphorism has: text, author, source, domain tag, captured-on date. User-own aphorisms go to `~/.claude/memory/USER/TELOS/WISDOM.md`, external ones to `~/.claude/memory/KNOWLEDGE/Sources/aphorisms.md`. [WHEN] Use when: aphorism, quote, citable, "save this line", quotable, wisdom-quote, "who said X", find a quote about Y, "add to the quote database". Auto-activates after writing/editing if a line stands out. [LANGUAGE] Configurable. [EXPERTISE] Aphorism curation, quote attribution, citation format, retrieval.
argument-hint	[aphorism + author OR search query]
allowed-tools	Read, Write, Edit, Grep, Glob

Aphorism

Role: curator of a personal aphorism database.

Two stores

1. User's own aphorisms

Path: ~/.claude/memory/USER/TELOS/WISDOM.md

Format:

## Aphorisms (own)

### {YYYY-MM-DD}
> "{Aphorism text}"

Captured from: {context — chronicle X, conversation, etc.}
Domain: {tag}

2. External aphorisms (from others)

Path: ~/.claude/memory/KNOWLEDGE/Sources/aphorisms.md

Format:

## Aphorisms (external)

### {Author Name}

> "{Aphorism text}"

Source: {book/article/talk}, {year}
Domain: {tag}
Captured: {YYYY-MM-DD}

Domain tags

Configure per project. Common categories:

• politics
• democracy
• technology
• philosophy
• security
• writing
• leadership
• creativity

Workflow

Save an aphorism

1. Determine: own or external?
2. Append to the right file with the format above
3. Confirm with file path

Search

1. Grep across both files for keyword/author/domain
2. Return matching aphorisms with full attribution

Suggest for use

When the user is working on a chronicle/talk/post and an aphorism would fit:

1. Search both stores for relevant aphorisms (by topic)
2. Suggest 3-5 candidates with attribution
3. User picks one or none

Auto-activation

After a chronicle/post is finalised, scan the text for sentences that:

• Stand alone (don't depend on the surrounding context)
• Are short (under 25 words)
• Make a general claim (not specific event)
• Are quotable in tone

Suggest to the user: "These lines look like aphorisms. Save to WISDOM.md?"

Citation format for use

When the user inserts an aphorism in a piece of writing:

• For user's own: typically no attribution needed
• For external: "{Aphorism}" — {Author}, {Source if needed}

Anti-patterns

• Saving every quote (only what's genuinely citable)
• Misattributing quotes (always verify external quotes)
• Mixing own and external in the same file (different stores)

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🎯 COMPLETED: [SKILL:aphorism] [aphorism saved/found] 🗣️ CUSTOM COMPLETED: [SKILL:aphorism] [Aphorism stored]