Prudence is the first of the four cardinal virtues. To have prudence is to know the Good and to live according to the Truth[i]. Prudence is another name for wisdom. It includes making wise judgments and decisions and is not to be confused with intelligence, for even the simple can be wise[ii]. It is the first of the cardinal virtues because without knowing the Good we cannot act with virtue. "All just and courageous action, all good action at all, is just and courageous and good, because it corresponds to the divinely created truth in real things."[iii] Therefore, it is always prudent to be just and true.
The Old Testament scriptures have much to say about prudence, from the wisdom literature and the Law of Moses given to make us wise, to the lives of the patriarchs, kings, and prophets given for our instruction. In the New Testament we have the revelation of the Wisdom of God Himself who was made flesh and walked among us, Christ the Lord. Christ and the apostles were also teachers of wisdom through their lives, sermons, letters, and parables. From them we learn that the truly wise are those who imitate God Himself. Even the creation is a great feast of wisdom for those with eyes to see: Consider the ant[iv], the deer[v], the lilies of the field[vi], and the mustard seed[vii] and be wise. As a great Christian teacher of the fourth century said, "Recognize everywhere the wisdom of God; never cease to wonder."[viii]
Ultimately, all wisdom is from God and is a gift of His goodness. "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith..."[ix]
[i] John 3:21
[ii] Psalm 19:7
[iii] The Christian Idea of Man by Josef Pieper
[iv] Proverb 6:6
[v] Psalm 42
[vi] Matthew 6:28
[vii] Luke 13:19
[viii] The Hexaemeron by Basil the Great
[ix] James 1:5-6
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