Prudence
Prudence is practical wisdom about choosing the right good in particular circumstances.
It is one of the four cardinal virtues.
It is by means of the virtue of prudence that we apply general maxims to concrete cases.
Most of our lives are made up of decisions that are not determined by the Ten Commandments, the laws of the Church, or the law of the land.
In prudential judgments we make up our own minds about what seems best. The issue in such cases is not a choice between good and evil but between one good thing and another.
- Examples of prudential judgments
- What school should I attend?
- What should I choose as a major?
- Whom should I marry?
- Where should I live and work?
- How should I take care of my bodily health?
- What should I eat?
- What should I refrain from eating?
- How much should I exercise?
- What kind of exercise is best for me?
- What kind of clothing should I wear?
- How much money should I spend on clothing?
- What kind of car should I drive?
- How much money should I spend on my car?
- What kind of insurance should I obtain for my car?
- Should I buy a house or rent?
- If I'm inclined to buy a house, which house should I buy?
- How much should I spend on renovations?
- What parish should I attend?
- How should I pray?
- How should I study the Bible?
- Should I make a retreat?
- What kind of retreat should I make?
- Should I seek a spiritual director?
- Should I attend the wedding of families or friends who are lapsed Catholics or who are anti-Catholic?
- Should I confront others about their wrongdoing?
- Questions that answer themselves
- Should I call in during this radio program? [Yes, yes!]
- Should I join the Calling All Catholics Facebook page? [Yes, yes!
- Should I donate more money to The Station of the Cross? [Yes, yes!]