What are sayings that convey advice or truths known as?

Sayings that convey advice or truths are best categorized as proverbs and adages. Proverbs are short, commonly known phrases that express a general truth or practical precept based on common sense or experience. They often have a moral lesson or piece of wisdom embedded in them. Adages are similar in that they are traditional sayings that have been passed down and are generally accepted as reflecting a certain truth.

Proverbs and adages serve to encapsulate lessons or wisdom in a way that is easily memorable and often universal, making them effective for imparting knowledge or guiding behavior. This characteristic aligns well with the essence of what the question asks; these sayings provide insight or guidance that is often relevant across cultures and generations.

The other options serve different functions. Idioms are expressions whose meanings are not directly deducible from their individual words, making them less focused on imparting advice or universal truths. Fables, on the other hand, are narrative stories that typically feature animals and deliver moral lessons but are not considered sayings. Maxims are also concise statements expressing a general truth or principle, but they are not as widely recognized or impactful as proverbs and adages.