prudence
PROO-dunss
/ˈpruːdns/
The quality of being prudent; cautiousness.
Prudence is 'practical wisdom'—the ability to govern oneself by the use of reason to avoid future trouble.
The story behind the word. A contraction of 'providence' (from Latin pro- 'ahead' + videre 'to see'). It literally means 'seeing ahead' so you can avoid pitfalls.
Word relationships
- caution: Caution is just being careful; prudence is being careful because you have thought about the future.
- recklessness: Recklessness is acting without thinking of the consequences.
Commonly confused with
- parsimony: Parsimony is being cheap; prudence is being wise with money.
Word family
- prudent (adjective): Acting with or showing care and thought for the future.
- prudently (adverb): In a prudent way.
Collocations
- financial prudence
- exercise prudence
- utmost prudence
Example sentences
- "Prudence is the most useful of all virtues, for it is the one that allows us to practice all the others." Economic theory.
- "The board exercised great prudence in refusing to invest in the volatile market." Financial management.
Memory hook
Prudence is 'proof' that you 'dance' around trouble. Seeing ahead.
When not to use
Don't use it for simple fear; prudence is a calculated, wise caution.
Fun facts
- Prudence was often personified in art as a woman holding a mirror and a snake, representing self-knowledge and wisdom.
Related words
Also appears in
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