what is the virtue prudence?
Prudence is one of the four cardinal virtues, along with justice, temperance, and fortitude. It is the virtue that disposes practical reason to discern our true good in every circumstance and to choose the right means of achieving it. Prudence is often described as "right reason in action" and is considered the "charioteer of the virtues" that guides the other virtues.
According to Pope Francis, prudence is the ability to combine intelligence and creativity, simplicity and shrewdness, understanding the complexity of situations and evaluating possible solutions, applying wisdom gleaned from past experiences while anticipating future needs.
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, prudence is not to be confused with timidity or fear, nor with duplicity or dissimulation. It is the virtue that immediately guides the judgment of conscience and determines and directs one's conduct in accordance with this judgment.
According to the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, prudence disposes reason to discern in every circumstance our true good and to choose the right means for achieving it. Prudence guides the other virtues by pointing out their rule and measure.
According to the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, prudence makes it possible to make decisions that are consistent, and to make them with realism and a sense of responsibility for the consequences of one's action. Prudence affirms the good as a duty and shows how the person should accomplish it.
According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, prudence is an intellectual habit that enables us to see in any given situation what is virtuous and what is not, and how to attain the good and avoid the evil. It has a directive capacity with regard to the other virtues, lighting the way and measuring the arena for their exercise.
According to the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, the lay faithful should act according to the dictates of prudence, which involves three distinct moments: reflection and consultation, evaluation in light of God's plan, and decision-making based on the preceding steps.
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