Definitions for prudence
ˈprud nspru·dence

Princeton's WordNet(4.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. prudencenoun

   discretion in practical affairs

2. discretion, discreetness, circumspection, prudencenoun

   knowing how to avoid embarrassment or distress

   "the servants showed great tact and discretion"

Wiktionary(1.50 / 4 votes)Rate this definition:

1. prudencenoun

   The quality or state of being prudent; wisdom in the way of caution and provision; discretion; carefulness; hence, also, economy; frugality.

   Etymology: From prudence.

2. Prudencenoun

   A female given name from English, one of the Puritan virtue names.

Webster Dictionary(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Prudencenoun

   the quality or state of being prudent; wisdom in the way of caution and provision; discretion; carefulness; hence, also, economy; frugality

Freebase(3.67 / 3 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Prudence

   Prudence is the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason. It is classically considered to be a virtue, and in particular one of the four Cardinal virtues. The word comes from Old French prudence, from Latin prudentia. It is often associated with wisdom, insight, and knowledge. In this case, the virtue is the ability to judge between virtuous and vicious actions, not only in a general sense, but with regard to appropriate actions at a given time and place. Although prudence itself does not perform any actions, and is concerned solely with knowledge, all virtues had to be regulated by it. Distinguishing when acts are courageous, as opposed to reckless or cowardly, for instance, is an act of prudence, and for this reason it is classified as a cardinal virtue. Although prudence would be applied to any such judgment, the more difficult tasks, which distinguish a person as prudent, are those in which various goods have to be weighed against each other, as when a person is determining what would be best to give charitable donations, or how to punish a child so as to prevent repeating an offense.

The Foolish Dictionary, by Gideon Wurdz(3.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. PRUDENCE

   A quality of mind that restrains the wise boarder from trying to find out how his landlady makes her hash.

Editors Contribution(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Prudence

   To regulate our life and actions, which are agreeable to the dictates of our reasons, and is the act by which we wisely judge so that we prudently determine all things relative to our present as well as our future happiness.

   My prudence keeps me on the road to become the lawyer I thrive to be in the future.

   Etymology: Pondered thought to becoming.

   Submitted by Tony.lucas28 on February 7, 2021  

Matched Categories

1. • Discretion
   • Natural Virtue

How to pronounce prudence?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say prudence in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of prudence in Chaldean Numerology is: 2

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of prudence in Pythagorean Numerology is: 5

Examples of prudence in a Sentence

1. Pope Francis:

   Without doubt, even moments of great difficulty, of tormented decisions of Christian and human prudence, that to some could have seemed like reticence, were instead attempts, humanly very difficult, to keep the light of humanitarian initiatives, of hidden but active diplomacy lit, in periods of greatest darkness and cruelty, in the hope of a possible opening of hearts.

2. General Omar Nelson Bradley:

   Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants. If we continue to develop our technology without wisdom or prudence, our servant may prove to be our executioner.

3. Democritus:

   Do not trust all men, but trust men of worth the former course is silly, the latter a mark of prudence.

4. Aesop:

   Affairs are easier of entrance than of exit and it is but common prudence to see our way out before we venture in.

5. George Bernard Shaw:

   Self-denial is not a virtue it is only the effect of prudence on rascality.

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