What is chiasmus?
Chiasmus is a statement (or question) formed by reversing the parts of a sentence.
Most people don’t know the meaning of the word ‘chiasmus’, but know several famous examples.
Creating chiasmus
To create chiasmus, one needs:
1. make a sentence
2. repeat the sentence, but with parts reversed
Examples
We’re good for each other, but others are good for us. | When you possess anger, anger possesses you. |
Life breeds happiness, and happiness breeds life. |
Famous examples
Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country. – John F. Kennedy | Which is it, is man one of God’s blunders, or God one of man’s blunders? – Frederich Nietzsche |
One should eat to live, not live to eat. – Cicero | I’d rather be looked over than overlooked. – Mae West |
Winners never quit, and quitters never win. – Vince Lombardi |