Be Prudent

We don’t hear the word prudence much these days. Perhaps that’s because it is lacking in society. Are you prudent?

Search the Internet for the phrase “what happened to the quality of prudence in everyday life,” and you will get results saying that prudence is the most underrated virtue—or that it is no longer even considered a virtue.

In English, prudence means managing with discretion, carefulness and caution, using sound reasoning and good judgment in conducting one’s life. It is often thought of as common sense—which many have sadly concluded is disappearing or is already gone. Watching the absurd news stories on television and having lived enough decades of life experiences to be a senior citizen, I am often inclined to think that myself.

I suppose, like so many things, we could blame the Internet, A.I., or public education for society’s lack of prudence or common sense, though more correctly we might say it is the misuse of those things. Having prudence and common sense is necessary to analyze why there is a great lack of prudence and common sense, so it is a “catch 22” (a term referring to a no-win dilemma). So much false knowledge, misinformation, disinformation, and deception produced by bad actors, charlatans, and algorithms exists that there is not enough time to sort through it. And so, gullible, shallow thinkers will fail to act with prudence.

One can find quotes about prudence by notable people, such as Marcus Tullius Cicero (106–43 BC), a Roman statesman and philosopher, who said, “Prudence is the knowledge of things to be sought, and those to be shunned.” George Washington said, “Life is always uncertain, and common prudence dictates to every man the necessity of settling his temporal concerns.” Euripides, a Greek dramatist, said, “Chance fights ever on the side of the prudent.” Francis Bacon said, “A prudent question is one-half of wisdom.”

But there are wiser quotes about prudence and common sense from a source of true knowledge. The Bible speaks of prudence, placing it in a context that educates, aids, and guides our use and understanding.

For example: “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge and discretion” (Proverbs 8:12). Everyone should recognize how valuable wisdom is, and wisdom resides with prudence. The Hebrew word translated “prudence” can also be translated good judgment, understanding, astute common sense, shrewdness, caution, and insight.

We learn from Scripture that the goals of the proverbs of Solomon are “to know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding, to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity; to give prudence to the simple” (Proverbs 1:1–4). There are few places better than the biblical book of Proverbs to learn prudence.

Hiram, a king of Tyre and a supplier of materials and workers King David and King Solomon gathered for building the temple of the Lord, recognized the true source of Solomon’s wisdom. Responding to Solomon’s request for building materials, Hiram wrote, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who made heaven and earth, for He has given King David a wise son, endowed with prudence” (2 Chronicles 2:12).

One example of Solomon’s proverbs says, “A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished” (Proverbs 22:3). Later in Scripture, the Apostle Paul praises God the Father and Jesus Christ for the blessings “made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence” (Ephesians 1:8).

Be prudent, and don’t pass on into the troubled times ahead without understanding what God is doing—or what His plan is for you!

Utilize the resources available here at Tomorrow’s World, including the insightful study guides Fourteen Signs Announcing Christ’s Return and What Is the Meaning of Life?