Prudence

/ˈpɹuːd(ə)n(t)s/ · noun

Meaning

(uncountable) The quality or state of being prudent: circumspection and good judgment in knowing how best to act; (countable, archaic) an instance of this..

Definitions by Sense

1. (uncountable) The quality or state of being prudent: circumspection and good judgment in knowing how best to act; (countable, archaic) an instance of this.
2. (uncountable, specifically) Synonym of frugality (“the quality of avoiding unnecessary expenditure; economy, parsimony, thrift, thriftiness”).
3. Synonym of providence (“preparation for the future; foresight”).
4. Synonym of wisdom (“an element of personal character that enables one to distinguish the wise from the unwise; wise advice”).

Example Sentences

[T]here are ſo many concurrencies vvhich have their attending cheques; vvhich poſſible are to be, but actually, vvere not improved in remedy that the prevalence of the Fire againſt, and in deſpight of thoſe vvonted prudences, and uſual reſiſtances, and the Latitude of effects, ſeconding ſuch a neglect of impending means, vvhere ſo vvell underſtood, and ſo dextrouſly at other times practiſed; […]

Concerning intellectual Habits or the genuine effects of theſe acts in the underſtanding Faculty, and they are divers and diverſly expreſſed by thoſe that have treated thereof. […] Prudence, vvhich is principally in reference to actions to be done, the due means, order, ſeaſon, method of doing or not doing.

Prudence, like experience, must be paid for.

[U]nder pretence of carrying in a pitcher of vvater, he entered the priſon, though, his prudence having prevented him from telling the ſentinel the real motive of his viſit, he vvas obliged to make his conference vvith the priſoner a very ſhort one.

Novv as I don't much chuſe to have my girls go to theſe ſort of places often, vvhich is a prudence that I dare ſay you approve as much as myſelf, I vvould vviſh to have the moſt made of them at once; […]

Mrs. Varden approved of this meek and forgiving spirit in high terms, and incidentally declared as a closing article of agreement, that Dolly should accompany her to the Clerkenwell branch of the association, that very night. This was an extraordinary instance of her great prudence and policy; having had this end in view from the first, and entertaining a secret misgiving that the locksmith (who was bold when Dolly was in question) would object, she had backed Miss Miggs up to this point, in order that she might have him at a disadvantage.

A man is prudent, who acts so as to promote his own Interest, if his Interest be assumed to be the proper Object of action: but if we conceive Happiness to be a higher object than Interest, he is prudent, if he disregard mere Interest, and attend only to his Happiness. Prudence supposes the value of the end to be assumed, and refers only to the adaptation of the means. It is the selection of right means for given ends.

"You mistake," cried the doctor, startled out of all his prudences; "it ought to be my business quite as much as it is yours."

Synonyms for prudence

Antonyms for prudence

Related Words

Word Forms

• prudences

Usage Notes

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