An Attempt at an Aphorism

Humility smells great, but tastes terrible.

Footnote, which is going to be several times longer that the post: I'm personally not at all keen on artificial intelligence, so I was partly pleased and partly disconcerted at the AI-generated explanation which came up (unsolicited) when I googled this aphorism, to see if anyone else had said it before me. I was pleased because my aphorism obviously conveys what it's supposed to convey if AI understands it in a jiffy. Disconcerted because the advance of AI scares me, even though I realize it's not actually thinking. Anyway, this is what it said:

The phrase "humility smells great but tastes terrible" is a metaphor for a difficult truth or virtue that is admired but unpleasant to experience. Humility is seen as a great quality that makes one admirable, but the act of being truly humble can feel demeaning, especially when it involves acknowledging one's own limitations or being perceived as "too" humble, which can be harmful. The phrase uses a play on the senses to express this complex idea: while humility is a virtue that smells "good" (is a positive thing to have), putting that virtue into practice can have a negative "taste" (be an unpleasant experience).

Smells great: Humility is often described as a virtue, a positive quality that is respected and admired. It makes people seem better, more relatable, and easier to work with.

Tastes terrible: The experience of being humble can be difficult. It might involve acknowledging that you don't know everything, admitting you're wrong, or putting someone else's needs before your own. These actions can be uncomfortable and feel like a sacrifice, even if they are ultimately for the best.

The metaphor: The phrase draws a parallel between the abstract concept of humility and the physical experience of taste and smell. The smell (how others perceive it) is positive, but the taste (the internal, personal experience of it) is negative. This highlights the difference between an admired virtue and the personal cost of practicing it.