Editing Prudence (section)

{{Short description|Ability of a person to regulate themselves with the use of reason}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Redirect|Imprudence|the French short story|Imprudence (Maupassant short story)|the racehorse|Imprudence (horse)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
[[File:The crowned Prudencia, riding a wagon and speaking to women Wellcome L0029370.jpg|thumb|The crowned Prudencia, carrying scales, allegorically rides a wagon to [[Heaven]]. Concordia puts the finishing touches on the wagon. Upon entry Prudencia rides alone, on one horse, towards the [[Empyrean]] of the [[God in Christianity|Christian God]]. On the lower left corner, Prudencia, with a book, addresses eight young women seated upon the ground. On the lower right corner, Prudencia enthroned speaks to eleven young seated women.]]
[[File:Saint-Denis (93), basilique, monument funéraire de Louis XII et Anne de Bretagne, 1515, la Prudence.JPG|thumb|200px|Prudentia, detail from the 1514 monument of King Louis XII in St Denis, Paris]]
[[File:Papstgrab, Prudentia.jpg|thumb|Prudentia on the tomb of [[Pope Clement II]] in the [[Bamberg Cathedral]]]]
'''Prudence''' ({{langx|la|prudentia}}, [[Contraction (grammar)|contracted]] from {{lang|la|providentia}} meaning "seeing ahead, sagacity") is the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of [[reason]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prudence|title=prudence|website=Merriam-Webster Dictionary}}</ref> It is classically considered to be a [[virtue]], and in particular one of the four [[cardinal virtues]] (which are, with the three [[theological virtues]], part of the [[seven virtues]]). '''Prudentia''' is an allegorical female personification of the virtue, whose attributes are a mirror and snake, and who is frequently depicted as a pair with [[Justitia]], the Roman goddess of Justice.

The word derives from the 14th-century [[Old French]] word {{lang|fro|prudence}}, which, in turn, derives from the Latin {{lang|la|prudentia}} meaning "foresight, sagacity". It is often associated with [[wisdom]], [[insight]], and [[knowledge]]. The virtue of prudence 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 are regulated by it. For example, distinguishing when acts are [[courage]]ous, as opposed to [[Recklessness (psychology)|reckless]] or [[Cowardice|cowardly]], is an act of prudence.

In modern English, the word "prudence" has become closely associated with cautiousness. In this sense, prudence is a virtue that involves taking calculated risks, but excessive caution can become a vice of cowardice.

In the ''[[Nicomachean Ethics]]'', [[Aristotle]] gives a lengthy account of the virtue {{transliteration|grc|[[phronesis]]}} ({{langx|grc|ϕρόνησις}})—traditionally translated as "prudence", although this has become problematic as the modern usage of that word has changed. More recently {{langx|grc|ϕρόνησις}} has been translated by such terms as "[[Phronesis|practical wisdom]]", "practical judgment", or "rational choice".