The Quasi-Integral Parts of Prudence

Prudence deals with immediate situations and the meansneeded to guide a person through them in right and reasonablefashion. Experience serves a person here, and experience isrecorded in memory. Hence, memory belongs to prudence.

Understanding, not as the faculty of intellect or mind,but as a knowledgeable grasp of things, is manifestly necessary forprudent action. Hence, understanding pertains toprudence.

Docility, or readiness to be taught, makesexperience fruitful. A stubborn and opinionated person is never aprudent person. Docility serves prudence, and thus belongs toit.

Shrewdness, not in an ugly sense as lowcraftiness, but as the quick and ready estimate of what is suitablein a situation, belongs to prudence as a quasi-integral part.

Reason, not as the thinking mind which guidesthe will, but as the right use of that mind, is clearly a part ofprudence.

Foresight, or the clear view of how futurecontingencies may bear upon the present occasion, or may depend onhow the present situation is met, is a part of prudence.

Circumspection stands to present action as foresightstands to future contingencies. It sees what is suitable here andnow in existing circumstances. Hence circumspection is aquasi-integral part of prudence.

Caution looks to avoid evil, especially evil that wearsthe mask of good. Hence, caution pertains to prudence.