maksymy

Maksymy are concise statements that express general truths or rules of conduct. They function as compact formulations of practical or moral wisdom, often prescribing how people ought to think or behave. While they can be universal, maxims are typically context-sensitive and evaluative, rather than strictly descriptive. The term maksym (plural maksymy) comes from the Latin maxima and the French maxime, and is used in Polish to refer to such short, memorable statements.

In philosophy, maxims aim to capture a principle of action or judgment in a single sentence. They are distinct from scientific laws or axioms because they express normative guidance and are subject to debate and interpretation. In literature, maxims appear as aphorisms or proverbs, conveying wisdom with brevity and rhetorical effect.

Maxims also play a role in legal contexts as legal maxims—brief Latin phrases that summarize established principles, such as Ignorantia legis non excusat (ignorance of the law is no excuse) or Fiat iustitia ruat caelum (let justice be done though the heavens fall).

Examples of widely cited maxims include the Golden Rule (“Treat others as you would like to be treated”) and “The end does not justify the means,” though the acceptance of such statements varies by culture and philosophy. In everyday language, people use maxims to condense common sense into memorable statements.

See also: aphorism, proverb, adage, dictum.