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A maxim is a moral rule or principle, which can be considered dependent on one's philosophy. A maxim is often pedagogical and motivates specific actions. The Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy defines it as: Generally any simple and memorable rule or guide for living; for example, 'neither a borrower nor a lender be'.
Maxim: (1) an instructional expression of a general principle or rule of morality or (2) simply a synonym for "aphorism"; they include: Brocard; Gnome; Legal maxim; Motto: a saying used frequently by a person or group to summarize its general mission. Credo: a motto implicitly or explicitly extended to express a larger belief system.
The concept is generally distinct from those of an adage, brocard, chiasmus, epigram, maxim (legal or philosophical), principle, proverb, and saying; although some of these concepts could be construed as types of aphorism. Often aphorisms are distinguished from other short sayings by the need for interpretation to make sense of them.
The maxim was cited only infrequently during the early 18th century; English literature, and especially English poetry, was the most fruitful of references. [84] Alexander Pope explored several traditional interpretations in his Essay on Man (1734), [ 85 ] with the poem's most well-known lines containing an exhortation to know the limits of one ...
Hard cases make bad law is an adage or legal maxim meaning that an extreme case is a poor basis for a general law that would cover a wider range of less extreme cases. In other words, a general law is better drafted for the average circumstance as this will be more common.
"The dose makes the poison" (Latin: dosis sola facit venenum 'only the dose makes the poison') is an adage intended to indicate a basic principle of toxicology. It is credited to Paracelsus who expressed the classic toxicology maxim "All things are poison, and nothing is without poison; the dosage alone makes it so a thing is not a poison."
Apophthegmata, the plural of apophthegm (also spelled apothegm), a pithy maxim, is the abbreviated title of several collections of aphorisms, adages, maxims, or proverbs, specifically: Apophthegmata of Delphi; Apophthegmata Laconica attributed to Plutarchus; Apophthegmata Patrum (Sayings of the [Christian Desert] Fathers) Apophthegmata Macarii ...
"Everything which is not forbidden is allowed" is a legal maxim. It is the concept that any action can be taken unless there is a law against it. [1] [2] It is also known in some situations as the "general power of competence" whereby the body or person being regulated is acknowledged to have competent judgement of their scope of action.