Final answer:
An epitaph is a brief poem or saying that embodies a truth in a witty or satirical fashion, frequently seen on monuments and tombs, unlike an epigraph which introduces a literary work.
Step-by-step explanation:
The brief poem or concise saying that expresses a truth in a witty, satirical, or striking manner and is often used as an inscription for monuments and tombs is known as an epitaph. An example of literature that precedes with a quotation to set the tone is an epigraph, which is similar but distinct from an epitaph. For instance, T.S. Eliot's 'The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock' commences with an epigraph from Dante's Inferno. The difference between the two lies in their usage where an epitaph serves as a remembrance or tribute, often on a tombstone or monument, encapsulating a legacy or moral judgment, while an epigraph is typically used to introduce the themes or atmosphere of a literary work.