Moral
The concise lesson drawn from a story, especially a fable.
A moral is the lesson a story is designed to teach, usually stated in a short, generalising sentence at the end. The form is inseparable from the fable: Aesop's tales end with a 'Moral' line that tells the reader what to carry away from the talking animals.
Morals are different from maxims because they are framed as the result of a narrative. The maxim says 'Honesty is the best policy' as a general truth; the moral says it after showing a liar caught in his own net.
The moralising voice can be heavy or light. A heavy moral lectures the reader; a light moral lets the story do the work and offers only a final nudge. 'The Moral of the story is...' is usually the heavy version.
Common mistake: tacking a moral onto a story that has not earned it. A moral that does not rise from the events is a slogan, not a lesson.
“Slow and steady wins the race.”
Keep reading the glossary
A traditional saying that expresses a generally accepted truth — almost always anonymous.
A short rule for conduct, usually stated as a general principle.
A short story that teaches a moral or spiritual lesson — most famously, the parables of Jesus.
A short, catchy phrase designed to be remembered and repeated in the service of a cause, brand, or campaign.