What is the term for a saying or statement that appears on the title page of a work?

The term for a saying or statement that appears on the title page of a work is an epigraph. An epigraph serves as a thematic prelude to the text, often quoting a notable author, text, or philosophical statement that encapsulates the essence of the work that follows. It typically offers insight into the themes and ideas that the reader can expect to encounter, creating a contextual framework for the main narrative. This practice is prevalent in literature, as it helps establish tone or sentiment and can provide an additional layer of meaning to the reader's understanding of the text.

In contrast, an abstract provides a brief summary of the content, a foreword typically contains introductory remarks by someone other than the author, often discussing the background of the work or its author, and a prologue serves as an introductory section of a book that sets up the story, offering context or information that precedes the central narrative. Each of these terms represents different aspects of textual structure and function, making epigraph the most appropriate choice for a statement appearing specifically on the title page.