Prudence

Prudence is the habit of making sound decisions. Nothing less. It is the virtue that in every situation distinguishes good from bad, directing conduct in accordance with truth and the good. Through it one clarifies the end and seeks the most fitting way of reaching it. Prudence is the virtue by which one discerns in every circumstance one's true good and chooses the right means of achieving it. Prudence makes it easier to take sound decisions in the various circumstances of life. It is the correct knowledge of what one ought to do. A very important thing.

Prudence does not oppose courage. It is a virtue, and virtues support one another rather than hinder. Prudence chooses to act well, and cowardice is not a good.

Prudence will be characteristic of old people if they are prudent; it will be characteristic of young people if they practice it. Experience may help prudence, but it does not suffice.

The process can be explained as follows: confronted with a particular situation, the intellect seeks the correct way to act and forms a judgment — this is good or bad, this is better or worse. This moral judgment about the goodness or badness of an action is called conscience. By forming correct judgments habitually, one acquires speed and ease — a good habit or virtue called prudence, which is the habit of upright conscience, the facility of the intellect for immediately discerning the good.

Prudence is exercised in two stages: deliberating and deciding.

Deliberation is attentive reflection on the reality of the matter, the possible solutions, and the advantages or disadvantages of leaning one way or another.

Before acting it is good to think a little, at least for a moment. Where do I want to go? What path should I follow?... In elementary matters, hardly any thought is needed and an immediate decision suffices. But in matters of some weight, a prudent person follows a process of deliberation.

Prudential deliberation is usually based on three actions:

• Considering personal experience. What has happened to me in similar cases? What measure was most effective on other occasions? How did others who faced the same difficulties resolve them? This experience explains why the elderly tend to be more judicious — provided they are people who have spent time doing good.
• Seeking advice. To benefit from the ideas and good judgment of others — their experience — one sets out the case to people of good formation and character, listens to their opinion, and decides with more elements to work with. One may or may not follow the advice, but a minimum of prudence invites listening to those valuable opinions. Good books can help.
• Foreseeing the consequences. Deliberation finally includes foreseeing the consequences of actions. A logical reflection for making sound decisions. What will happen afterward? Where does this lead me? It is important to look at the repercussions of one's actions, and not to be carried away by the whim of the moment.

Deliberating a great deal is not enough. To be prudent one must also make a decision. Sometimes it is prudent to delay a decision until all the elements of judgment are complete. On other occasions it would be imprudent not to begin carrying out as soon as possible what needs to be done. Deliberate, yes, but with a view to choosing. Deliberation is important but one must also opt for a path and follow it. The goal is not to deliberate, but to decide well and act accordingly.

To encourage oneself to choose promptly by setting aside doubts, one can note that inactivity is already a determination. Remaining idle is already a chosen option, even if not clearly desired. When one hesitates about doing something, while the yes is being postponed, one is choosing no. If someone hesitates between studying or not, until one begins, one's choice is not to. Whoever cannot make up their mind is in fact opting for a negative. If the resolution is delayed more and more, a refusal — perhaps unconscious — is being confirmed.

There are cases where one of the options is of such quality that it invites resolving the doubt in its direction. One ought to deliberate a little, but if the doubt persists, the best thing is to decide affirmatively and secure that treasure.

Deliberating and deciding are primary aspects of prudence, but there are two more basic matters:

• There must be goals. For prudence to make correct decisions, it must be oriented by goals toward which to direct itself. Whoever lacks ideals in life drifts along on the current of whim, governed by frivolity and superficiality. Something similar to small children who only attend to what is immediate: if I like it, I take it; if I don't like it, I cry. They do not foresee the consequences of their actions because they lack criteria and ends.
• The goals must be correct. For if decisions are taken with a view to an evil end, prudence will be pernicious, as in the case of the thief who plans the perfect robbery. It is necessary, then, to take care in forming a correct scale of values, in order to direct one's steps toward what is truly good.

In summary, a prudent person deliberates as much as necessary without rushing, knows how to seek advice, looks at the consequences of his actions, makes decisions with the necessary promptness, and possesses a correct scale of values that guides his conduct. With practice, these aspects are exercised with nimble ease.

Prudence has a special influence on all the virtues, since it helps one make good decisions in every action. For example, suppose a very industrious person. Prudence will tell him: now you must work, now you must attend to other obligations of prayer, of family, etc. A very hard-working but imprudent person would fall into a defect of industriousness that might be called "careerism."

It involves practicing the aspects mentioned. For example:

• Avoiding thoughtlessness. Tell yourself: come on, think a little!
• Training yourself to seek advice.
• Noting down some experiences so they may serve others (and oneself in the future, since forgetfulness lurks).
• Thinking about the consequences of a specific action, to learn to take them into account on other occasions.
• Tidying a room is an exercise in order, and also training in deciding quickly (about where to put things).
• Is this good or bad? This simple question helps one make many sound decisions and it is worth asking oneself from time to time.