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a traditional saying expressing a common experience or observation; proverb.
Historical Examples

I suppose you’ve heard a number of adages concerning the irresponsibility of corporations?
Out of the Ashes Ethel Watts Mumford

As an example of Palmer’s exposition, we will give that based on two adages of like import.
Proverb Lore F. Edward Hulme

One seems to detect several grades or qualities of friendship in these adages.
Proverb Lore F. Edward Hulme

The adages or proverbs of all nations are the outgrowths of their first attempts at civilization.
The College, the Market, and the Court Caroline H. Dall

The real monument of his Venetian days is the great second edition of the adages, in substantially their final form.
Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam Ephraim Emerton

Pythagoras drew up a collection of adages for his disciples, and Plato, Theophrastus, and Chrysippus accumulated stores of them.
Proverb Lore F. Edward Hulme

But I have learned that the adages, as well as the books and the formulas were made by and for others than us of the black race.
The Strength of Gideon and Other Stories Paul Laurence Dunbar

He gives in it no indication of the sources from whence the adages are derived, adds no explanatory notes, and works on no system.
Proverb Lore F. Edward Hulme

“Avoid a man who neither drinks nor smokes,” was one of Don’s adages.
The Orchard of Tears Sax Rohmer

A person who would be always dragging in these adages would be a terrible nuisance in conversation, and no less so in literature.
Proverb Lore F. Edward Hulme

noun
a traditional saying that is accepted by many as true or partially true; proverb
n.

1540s, Middle French adage, from Latin adagium “adage, proverb,” apparently from adagio, from ad- “to” (see ad-) + *agi-, root of aio “I say,” from PIE *ag- “to speak.” But Tucker thinks the second element is rather ago “set in motion, drive, urge.”