Maxims: meaning, definitions and examples

Concise statement that expresses a truth or wisdom in a witty or clever way; often used in literary or philosophical contexts.

• He quoted an aphorism by Oscar Wilde: 'To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.'
• The book is filled with insightful aphorisms about life and love.

Short, traditional saying that expresses a general truth or piece of advice; commonly used in informal conversation and literature.

• There's an old adage that says 'better late than never'.
• My grandmother often cited the adage 'a stitch in time saves nine'.

Short, commonly known phrase that gives advice or tells something about life, typically grounded in collective experience; widely used in everyday language and cultural expressions.

• The proverb 'actions speak louder than words' is known worldwide.
• She always relied on the proverb 'when in Rome, do as the Romans do' when traveling.