6 across
Words
to
live
by,
not
initially
arse-backwards
(5)
Words to live by, not initially arse-backwards (5)
hints
0
checks
0
hints
The definition is at the beginning of the clue.
How the clue works
Words to live by is your definition there, pointing to a guiding maxim. Start with BOTTOM (that's your "arse"), knock off the initial B to leave OTTOM, then flip it backwards and you land on the answer.