an expression of a general truth or principle, esp. an aphoristic or sententious one

the maxims of La Rochefoucauld.

a principle or rule of conduct.

noun

adage , aphorism , apophthegm , axiom , belief , brocard , byword , canon , commonplace , device , dictum , epithet , formula , law , moral , motto , platitude , precept , prescript , proverb , rule , saw , tenet , theorem , truism , saying , apothegm , catchword , doctrine , epigram , gnome , logion , pearl , sententia , witticism , word