Truism Examples

A truism is a statement that is so widely accepted, or so evident and factual, that questioning its validity is considered foolish. A truism does not need to be supported by any other evidence. It is accepted as "true."

The apple never falls far from the tree.

A fool and his money are soon parted.

A friend in need is a friend indeed.

A house divided against itself cannot stand.

Always get a second opinion.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

April showers bring May flowers.

Examples of Truisms from Literature:

In the beginning of A Tale of Two Cities, Dickens makes many statements about society, and there is no further evidence. These statements are truisms, widely accepted, about the society he is describing:

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.

In Romeo and Juliet, the Prince makes a statement about punishing murderers-just after Romeo has killed Tybalt. He claims that showing mercy would just create a society with more murderers. This is a truism.

Let Romeo hence in haste,

Else, when he's found, that hour is his last.

Bear hence this body and attend our will.

Mercy but murders, pardoning those that kill