good words; wise saying
A somewhat literary term for a well-chosen remark, a piece of good advice, or a memorable wise saying. Not an everyday word; more likely in writing or formal speech.
His speech was full of wise sayings.
この本は人生の佳言を集めたものです。
This book is a collection of wise sayings about life.
格言 is a 'proverb' or 'maxim', a fixed traditional saying. 佳言 is broader and can refer to any well-chosen remark, not necessarily a set phrase.
Standard kanji form for 'good words' or 'wise saying'.
Variant kanji form; 嘉 also means 'praise' or 'excellent'.
Composed of 佳 (excellent, beautiful) and 言 (words, speech). The exact historical derivation is uncertain; the spelling is conventionally associated with the meaning 'excellent words'.