Adage – a proverb or short statement expressing a general truth.

Aphorism – a pithy observation that contains a general truth or principle.

Apothegm – an aphorism, maxim, or concise saying.

Axiom – a statement or proposition which is regarded as being accepted, established, or self-evidently true.

Cliché – a phrase or opinion that is overused and betrays a lack of original thought.

Dictum – a formal pronouncement from an authoritative source or a short statement that expresses a general truth or principle.

Epigram – a pithy saying, remark, or statement expressing an idea in a surprising, clever, amusing or satirical manner.

Fable – a short story, most often with animals as characters, conveying a moral.

Idiom – a group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words.

Maxim – a short, pithy saying expressing a general truth or rule of conduct.

Parable – a succinct, didactic story that illustrates one or more instructive lessons or principles, often spiritual in nature.

Platitude – a prosaic, trite or meaningless remark or statement offered as though it were enlightening but in reality is used in an attempt to terminate or obfuscate thoughtful discourse.

Precept – a general rule, commandment, instruction, or order intended to regulate thought or behavior.

Proverb – a short, pithy saying in general use, stating a general truth or a piece of advice.

Truism – a statement that is obviously true and says nothing new or interesting.

[pithy – concise and forcefully expressive]