Imprudence

Imprudence is the absence or lack of prudence. When this lack is a person’s own fault, it is a sin.

Sinful imprudence is a special sin, for it stands opposed to the special virtue of prudence. Yet, in one sense,imprudence is a general sin, for it takes in several other sins. These sins are: precipitation, thoughtlessness, inconstancy, and negligence.

Precipitation is an inordinate rushing into action under the impulse of will or passion. It is plain to see that this sin has the character of imprudence.

Thoughtlessness, as a sin of imprudence, is a willfulfailure to judge a situation rightly because of a contempt for, ora neglect of, the things on which right judgment depends.

Inconstancy, as a sin of imprudence is the unwiseceasing from, or withdrawal from, a good purpose that has beenprudently taken up. Inconstancy results from appetite uncontrolled by prudent reason.

All these imprudences-precipitation, thoughtlessness,inconstancy-are born of appetite inordinately given to pleasures of sense, and especially lustful appetite. We may justly say that these sins of imprudence are largely from lust.