(n.) An old saying, which has obtained credit by long use; a proverb.

ana analects aphorism apothegm axiom byword catchword collected sayings current saying dictate dictum distich epigram expression gnome golden saying maxim moral mot motto oracle phrase pithy saying precept prescript proverb proverbial saying proverbs saw saying sentence sententious expression sloka stock saying sutra teaching text verse wisdom wisdom literature wise saying witticism word words of wisdom