THE EDGE OF THE ABYSS / part 2.

Aphorisms 

by Marina Aristo Markovic 

Foreword

The aphorisms you can read here are not merely sharp quips; they are X-rays of a society where truth is often whispered, and absurdity shouts the loudest. Each line is stripped of excess, crafted so that laughter opens what is otherwise hard to admit: that politics frequently survives on appearances, power thrives on acrobatics, and the citizen relies on memory and patience.

These reflections do not attack individuals but the mechanisms themselves. They do not mock people, but habits that persist until they become the system. The aphorism, in its briefest form, accomplishes what long debates rarely can. It stops us for a moment, forcing a pause between laughter and discomfort, and it is in that pause that reflection begins.

In this section, politics and power are presented unvarnished. A game where the rules apply only to those not high enough, a skill in avoiding responsibility, a paradox in which elections are fair only when “our side” wins, and public interest becomes a byproduct of private ambition. Here, the logic of authority is laid bare, promising change while often rearranging nothing more than chairs.

If these aphorisms make you laugh, that is good, but if even one makes you wince, then it has served its true purpose. 

The aphorism is the smallest possible truth, wrapped in a sentence, and for that very reason, it can be the heaviest.

May this collection remind you that humor is not an escape from reality, but its sharpest commentary.


II. POLITICS AND POWER

* Mr. Minister, you’re right… You have the right to one phone call.

* Before banning spitting in the streets, it would be good to rename some of them.

* It’s smart to be silent while I’m speaking. It’s even smarter to be silent while you’re speaking.

* We’d use knowledge and tactics too, if they weren’t against us.

* We quickly forget who’s to blame. Who is to blame?

* For us, honest people come first. They’re the first ones we get rid of.

* Criminals should get civil servant status. They work with political parties too.

* There are no fair Elections. Not until we win. 

* They’re working on decentralization. Beggars from downtown will be evenly distributed to the suburbs.

* The parliamentary session began with a joint discussion and ended with arrests.

* An experienced politician can multitask: not think, not work, and not keep quiet.

* Thanks to our winning mentality, we persevere even when we’re losing.

* There’s no clash of opinions. We all agree there’s a clash of interests.

* The proposal was good but rejected, because most were against the proposer.

* We can promise only one thing. We’ll do everything so people don’t notice we’re doing nothing.

* Better not ask me anything. Someone will have to answer for that too.

* We’ve taken a stand. We’re quiet as mice.

* Down with the Government! It’s time to change positions.

* If they weren’t above the law, they’d be under investigation.

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