Aphorisms embodied in a large manuscript (6)

I believe the answer is:

maxims

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'aphorisms embodied' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'large manuscript' is the wordplay.
'large' becomes 'maxi' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'manuscript' becomes 'ms' (abbreviation for manuscript).
'maxi'+'ms'='MAXIMS'

'in a' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for maxims that I've seen before include "Axioms, precepts" , "General truths or rules of conduct" , "gnomes" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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