The Quasi-Integral Parts of Prudence

Prudence deals with immediate situations and the means needed to guide a person through them in right and reasonable fashion. Experience serves a person here, and experience is recorded 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 for prudent action. Hence, understanding pertains to prudence.

Docility, or readiness to be taught, makes experience fruitful. A stubborn and opinionated person is never a prudent 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 suitable in a situation, belongs to prudence as a quasi-integral part.

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

Foresight, or the clear view of how futurecontingencies may bear upon the present occasion, or may depend on how 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 and now in existing circumstances. Hence circumspection is aquasi-integral part of prudence.

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