Prudence
The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, “Prudence is the virtue
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that disposes practical reason to discern our true good in every
circumstance and to choose the right means of achieving it; ‘the
prudent man looks where he is going.’” (CCC 1806)
Prudence, like all the virtues, is a habit that comes through practice. Prudence
is the ability to judge what is the right course of action in any
circumstance. St. Thomas Aquinas writes, “Prudence is right reason in
action.” (CCC 1806) The Catechism goes on: “It is called the auriga virtutum
(the charioteer of the virtues); it guides the other virtues by setting
rule and measure. It is prudence that immediately guides the judgment of
conscience.” (CCC 1806)
Think of it like this: A teenager will sometimes make bad decisions. This
is because the virtue of prudence has not yet been fully formed. But as
we mature and gain experience in life, we are more often prudent in our
decision-making. Prudence is directed toward the intellect. It directs us
to use the other virtues to achieve the good and avoid the evil, and helps
us to put the other virtues into practice.
The Catechism sums it up this way: “The prudent man determines and
directs his conduct in accordance with this judgment. With the help of
this virtue we apply moral principles to particular cases without error
and overcome doubts about the good to achieve and the evil to avoid.”
(CCC 1806)
And the fruits of prudence? Proverbs 14:17 says it perfectly. “The quicktempered
man makes a fool of himself, but the prudent man is at peace.”
For further study: