maxim
maxim — 名詞
1. A short, well-known phrase that states a general truth or gives a practical rule
格言
簡短而廣為人知的真理或行為準則
A short, well-known phrase that states a general truth or gives a practical rule for how to live or behave.
My grandmother often repeated the old maxim that honesty is the best policy.
我的祖母時常重複那句古老的格言：誠實才是上策。
collocation: old maxim / maxim + that-clause
A well-known maxim advises people to treat others as they wish to be treated.
一句著名的格言告訴人們，要像希望別人對待自己那樣去對待他人。
During the meeting, Trang quoted the business maxim that the customer is always right.
在會議中，Trang 引用了那句顧客永遠是對的的商業格言。
The maxim 'look before you leap' reminds people to think carefully before they act.
「三思而後行」這句格言提醒人們在行動前要仔細思考。
Hari's favourite maxim was that hard work always pays off in the end.
Hari 最喜歡的格言是努力終究會有回報。
- proverb
Older and from folk tradition; a proverb is usually anonymous, while a maxim may come from a known thinker or writer.
- saying
A broader term for any common phrase; less formal and less tied to a behavioural rule than maxim.
- aphorism
More clever or literary in tone, often attributed to a specific philosopher or writer; a maxim is more practical and action-oriented.
- motto
Adopted by a specific group, family, or institution as its guiding principle; a maxim is general wisdom anyone can use.
文法句型
maxim + that-clause
the maxim that + clause
用法筆記
Often introduced by the verbs quote, repeat, or follow. Frequently appears in the pattern 'the maxim that + clause' to state the principle itself.