the.com/prudence
the bodyguard wisdom hires to keep good intentions from doing stupid things
means the quality of being careful and sensible, especially in managing practical affairs and avoiding needless risk.
from From Latin prudentia, 'foresight, sagacity, knowledge of things to come' — itself a worn-down form of providentia ('foreseeing,' the same root that gives us 'providence'). At its heart sits the verb providere, 'to see ahead' (pro-, 'before,' + videre, 'to see'). So prudence began life literally as the gift of looking forward; it reached English through Old French in the 14th century, the abstract noun of an already-existing 'prudent' person.
- cardinal rank
- First of the four cardinal virtues, ahead of justice
- name origin
- From Latin providentia, meaning foresight
- hidden boldness
- Aristotle deemed it action, not timid hesitation
- economic afterlife
- Lent its name to old savings institutions everywhere
prudential committee — elected governance body in new england towns since the 1600s managing municipal affairs