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A Maxim (n.) is what men of limited ideas make of every particular, erecting each one into a rule.
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A Maxim (n.) invests a speech with moral character, being a general declaration of moral principles.
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A Maxim (n.) is the premise or conclusion of an enthymeme stripped of its reasons: a general statement about what to choose or avoid.
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A Maxim (n.) suits only the elderly and experienced; in a young man's mouth it is unbecoming, and country fellows love striking them out.
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A Maxim (n.) flatters the hearer by stating as universal truth what he already believes about his own case — the man with bad neighbours applauds 'nothing is more annoying than having neighbours'.