1. Maxims اندرزها و پندها
GUIDING PRINCIPLES IN THOUGHT AND ACTION
DATE: JULY 2025
BY: Hamed Hameedi
2. 🖼 Introduction
What Are Maxims?
• A maxim is a short, memorable statement that expresses a general truth, rule of conduct, or life
principle.
• They guide behavior, decision-making, and ethical thinking.
• Found in philosophy, business, leadership, law, and everyday speech.
3. 📜 Historical Background
Origins of Maxims
• Ancient roots: Socrates, Confucius, and Roman thinkers.
• Enlightenment thinkers like Kant gave them ethical depth.
• Used in proverbs, teachings, legal systems, and leadership.
4. 📚 Types of Maxims
Classifying Maxims: Maxims can be categorized into several types based on context:
1. Moral Maxims
2. Practical Maxims
3. Philosophical Maxims
4. Legal Maxims
5. Rhetorical/Communication Maxims
6. Social/Cultural Maxims
5. ⚖ Moral Maxims
Ethical and Personal Conduct
Maxims Definition: These express ethical rules or moral behavior.
Examples:
• “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
• “Honesty is the best policy.”
• Kant’s maxim: “Act only on that maxim which you can at the same time will to be a universal law.”
Use: Guide personal integrity, honesty, fairness.
6. 🛠 Practical Maxims
Day-to-Day Wisdom
Definition: Focus on daily decision-making, efficiency, or caution.
Examples:
• “Measure twice, cut once.”
• “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”
• “Time is money.”
Use: Offer simple, effective advice for life and work.
7. 🛠 Philosophical Maxims
Deeper Thinking Principles
Definition: Maxims that reflect general truths or philosophical reasoning.
Examples:
• “I think, therefore I am.” – René Descartes
• “Man is the measure of all things.” – Protagoras
• “The unexamined life is not worth living.” – Socrates
Use: Encourage self-reflection, critical thinking, worldview formation.
8. ⚖ Legal Maxims
Foundational Rules in Law
Definition: Short Latin or English phrases that express established legal principles.
Examples:
• Ignorantia juris non excusat – “Ignorance of the law is no excuse.”
• Pacta sunt servanda – “Agreements must be kept.”
• “Justice delayed is justice denied.”
Use: Basis for legal argument, interpretation, and doctrine.
9. 🗣 Rhetorical & Communication
Maxims Rules of Effective Speaking and Writing
Definition: Maxims that govern how we
communicate clearly and persuasively.
Examples:
• “Know your audience.”
• “Say what you mean, and mean what you say.”
• Grice’s Maxims (Paul Grice’s theory of cooperative
conversation):
• Quantity: Be as informative as needed.
• Quality: Don’t lie.
• Relation: Be relevant.
• Manner: Be clear
Use: Improve clarity, effectiveness, and cooperation in
speech.
10. 🌍 Social & Cultural
Maxims Culturally-Informed Norms
Definition: These reflect common behaviors or etiquette in social groups or cultures.
Examples:
• “Respect your elders.”
• “Family comes first.”
• “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”
Use: Reinforce social norms, cultural values, traditions.
11. ❓ Why Maxims Matter
Their Role in Life and Society
• Help simplify complex decisions.
• Guide moral behavior and leadership.
• Provide continuity across generations.
• Influence legal, social, and personal norms.
12. ✍ Creating Your Own Maxims
How to create personal/professional maxims:
• Start from your values.
• Keep them short and actionable.
• Test them in real-life decisions.
Activity idea: “Write your top 3 maxims.”
13. 🎯 Conclusion
Maxims: Wisdom in a Few Words
Small Words, Big Impact
• Maxims shape cultures, behaviors, and ethics.
• Use them as tools to guide your actions with intention and clarity.
• From laws to leadership, maxims shape how we think and act.
