Maxim
Pattern
Prescriptive general rule — do X / don't do Y
Definition
A brief, authoritative statement of a general truth or rule of conduct, often drawn from experience.
Examples
Example 1
Measure twice, cut once.
Proverbial carpentry maxim
A practical rule of thumb generalized into a principle of careful preparation
Example 2
A stitch in time saves nine.
Proverbial maxim
A short rule about prevention being easier than cure, proven by centuries of repetition
Example 3
Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.
Hanlon's Razor
A modern maxim that provides a practical rule for interpreting others' behavior
AI Detection Note
AI can produce maxims but they tend to be conventional and expected. Original maxims — compact wisdom that feels genuinely discovered rather than retrieved — are rare in AI output.
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