didactic
Meaning: intended to instruct 2. overly moralistic
Usage: The story was didactic, teaching readers a clear lesson about honesty.
platitude
Meaning: an uninspired remark, cliché
Usage: After reading over her paper, Helene concluded that what she thought were profound insights were actually just platitudes.
maxim
Meaning: a common saying expressing a principle of conduct
Usage: Miss Manners’s etiquette maxims are both entertaining and instructional.