Old sayings observed by Socrates initially (4)

I believe the answer is:

saws

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'old sayings' is the definition.
'saws' can be an answer for 'sayings' (saw is a kind of saying). I am unsure of the 'old' bit.

'observed by socrates initially' is the wordplay.
'observed' becomes 'saw' (I've seen this before).
'by' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'initially' says to take the initial letters.
The initial letter of 'socrates' is 's'.
'saw'+'s'='SAWS'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for saws that I've seen before include "Proverbs" , "bladed items" , "Adages" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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