Making sense of maxims

What is a maxim?

A maxim is a brief statement that offers wisdom, advice, or guidelines. Maxims are easily recalled since they are so memorable. They’re similar to proverbs or adages. Maxims are so popular because they are short and easy to remember, therefore they can effortlessly be passed on to others. They’re also generally easy to understand. The word “maxim” comes from the Latin word “maxima,” which means “the largest or most important.”¹

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Examples of maxims

There are countless maxims out there. Maxims can be used for a variety of topics or situations. For instance, some maxims are used to encourage positivity, while others may touch on love or relationships. Here are some examples of maxims:

• “Look on the bright side.”

This maxim encourages one to think positive thoughts. You might use this maxim if your friend is having a bad day.

• “You win some, you lose some.”

This optimistic maxim is used to make someone who has lost or failed at something feel better. For example, if your friend got a pay increase at work but didn’t get a promotion, you might use this maxim.

• “Every cloud has its silver lining.”

This maxim isn’t actually talking about clouds—it means that there is a positive aspect to every circumstance. This is another maxim that one might use to console a friend who’s having a bad day.

• “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”

This maxim means that being away from loved ones can make your love for them stronger. If your friend’s partner is going on a business trip for a few weeks and is worried about them being away, you might use this maxim.

• “Birds of a feather flock together.”

This maxim means that people with similar hobbies, interests, or philosophies hang out with each other or befriend each other. For example, if all of the basketball players at your school hang out together, you might use this maxim.

• “Opposites attract.”

This maxim conflicts with “birds of a feather flock together.” It means that those who have opposite traits or personalities are attracted to each other. For example, if your optimistic friend is in a relationship with a pessimistic person, you might say, “Opposites attract.”

• “Actions speak louder than words.”

This well-known maxim means that what someone does is more significant than what they say they’ll do. For example, if someone you’re dating says they love you but never tries to see you, your friend might use this maxim to get you to realize they’re not that into you.

• “Money doesn’t grow on trees.”

This maxim means that money is limited, so you should be careful how you spend it. For example, if your child keeps nagging you for a new expensive video game, you might use this maxim.

When to use maxims in your writing

It’s wise to avoid using maxims in formal writing. Formal writing is used for academic essays, in business, or in legal work. Using maxims in a persuasive essay isn’t a good idea because they don’t allow you enough room to defend your argument. In formal writing, you should write in a clear and concise matter. Since maxims use ambiguous language, they’re not appropriate for formal writing. They may confuse your reader.

However, maxims are appropriate for creative writing. You can use maxims to create realistic dialogue in a fiction novel or to give your characters more personality. Even though maxims are permitted in creative writing, writers should still avoid overusing them. Too many maxims can make your writing come across as banal or cliché.

Understanding maxims can help you become a better writer and a more effective communicator. Explore more ways to elevate your writing by learning how to use idioms and idiomatic expressions correctly.

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