Changes

==Origin==

==Origin==

[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English], from Anglo-French, from [[Latin]] prudentia, alteration of providentia — more at [[providence]] or Old French prudence (13th century), from [[Latin]] prudentia ([[foresight]], sagacity), a contraction of providentia, foresight.

[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English], from Anglo-French, from [[Latin]] prudentia, alteration of providentia — more at [[providence]] or Old French prudence (13th century), from [[Latin]] prudentia ([[foresight]], sagacity), a contraction of providentia, foresight.

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/14th_century 14th Century]

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/14th_century 14th Century]

==Definitions==

==Definitions==

*1: the [[ability]] to [[govern]] and [[discipline]] oneself by the use of [[reason]]

*1: the [[ability]] to [[govern]] and [[discipline]] oneself by the use of [[reason]]

*4: caution or circumspection as to [[danger]] or [[risk]]

*4: caution or circumspection as to [[danger]] or [[risk]]

==Description==

==Description==

'''Prudence''' is the characteristic of exercising sound [[judgment]] in [[practical]] affairs. It is classically [[considered]] to be a [[virtue]], and in particular one of the four [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardinal_virtues Cardinal virtues] (which are, with the [[three]] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theological_virtues theological virtues], part of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_virtues seven virtues]).

'''Prudence''' is the characteristic of exercising sound [[judgment]] in [[practical]] affairs. It is classically [[considered]] to be a [[virtue]], and in particular one of the four [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardinal_virtues Cardinal virtues] (which are, with the [[three]] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theological_virtues theological virtues], part of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_virtues seven virtues]).

It is often [[associated]] with [[wisdom]], [[insight]], and [[knowledge]]. In this case, the [[virtue]] is the [[ability]] to [[judge]] between virtuous and vicious [[actions]], not only in a general sense, but with regard to appropriate actions at a given [[time]] and place. Although prudence itself does not [[perform]] any [[actions]], and is concerned solely with [[knowledge]], all [[virtues]] had to be regulated by it. Distinguishing when acts are [[courageous]], as [[opposed]] to reckless or cowardly, for instance, is an act of prudence, and for this [[reason]] it is classified as a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardinal_virtues cardinal (pivotal) virtue].

It is often [[associated]] with [[wisdom]], [[insight]], and [[knowledge]]. In this case, the [[virtue]] is the [[ability]] to [[judge]] between virtuous and vicious [[actions]], not only in a general sense, but with regard to appropriate actions at a given [[time]] and place. Although prudence itself does not [[perform]] any [[actions]], and is concerned solely with [[knowledge]], all [[virtues]] had to be regulated by it. Distinguishing when acts are [[courageous]], as [[opposed]] to reckless or cowardly, for instance, is an act of prudence, and for this [[reason]] it is classified as a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardinal_virtues cardinal (pivotal) virtue].

Although prudence would be applied to any such [[judgment]], the more [[difficult]] tasks, which distinguish a [[person]] as prudent, are those in which various goods have to be weighed against each other, as when a [[person]] is determining what would be best to give [[charitable]] donations, or how to [[punish]] a child so as to prevent repeating an offense.

Although prudence would be applied to any such [[judgment]], the more [[difficult]] tasks, which distinguish a [[person]] as prudent, are those in which various goods have to be weighed against each other, as when a [[person]] is determining what would be best to give [[charitable]] donations, or how to [[punish]] a child so as to prevent repeating an offense.

In [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#1500-present.09THE_MODERN_ENGLISH_PERIOD modern English], however, the [[word]] has become increasingly synonymous with cautiousness. In this sense, prudence names a reluctance to take [[risks]], which remains a [[virtue]] with respect to unnecessary risks, but when unreasonably extended (i.e. over-cautiousness), can become the vice of cowardice.

In [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#1500-present.09THE_MODERN_ENGLISH_PERIOD modern English], however, the [[word]] has become increasingly synonymous with cautiousness. In this sense, prudence names a reluctance to take [[risks]], which remains a [[virtue]] with respect to unnecessary risks, but when unreasonably extended (i.e. over-cautiousness), can become the vice of cowardice.

In the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicomachean_Ethics Nicomachean Ethics], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aristotle Aristotle] gives a lengthy account of the [[virtue]] phronesis ([[Greek]]: ϕρονησιϛ), which has [[traditionally]] been [[translated]] as "prudence", although this has become increasingly problematic as the [[word]] has fallen out of common usage. More recently ϕρονησιϛ has been [[translated]] by such terms as "[[practical]] [[wisdom]]", "[[practical]] [[judgment]]," or "[[rational]] [[choice]]." [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prudence]

In the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicomachean_Ethics Nicomachean Ethics], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aristotle Aristotle] gives a lengthy account of the [[virtue]] phronesis ([[Greek]]: ϕρονησιϛ), which has [[traditionally]] been [[translated]] as "prudence", although this has become increasingly problematic as the [[word]] has fallen out of common usage. More recently ϕρονησιϛ has been [[translated]] by such terms as "[[practical]] [[wisdom]]", "[[practical]] [[judgment]]," or "[[rational]] [[choice]]." [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prudence]

[[Category: General Reference]]

[[Category: General Reference]]