The Virtue of Prudence


'Prudence' often means cautiousness, canniness, thriftiness, but for Christians prudentia is simply the ability to make right decisions. Prudent people characteristically get things morally right. Some of us seek the good unreasonably, chaotically, unrealistically; prudent people seek it reasonably, intelligently, wisely.

To think and act reasonably is not to use the head at the expense of the heart, but rather to use the head to work out what will really satisfy the heart. We all know some unreasonable people: people who plunge in thoughtlessly, dither hopelessly, etc. Often these are good people, perhaps confused because they cannot see any certain answers or direction in the moral life. Reasonable people understand there is no absolute certainty that our choices will turn out for the best; they are content to use their judgement, trust God and act with hope & love.

People who lack prudence live in moral danger. When their courage, justice etc are tested, the fact that they cannot judge well when and how to act means they might use courage in a way that endangers themselves - or others. So our exercise of all other virtues depends on having the virtue of prudence.