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prudence

   Also found in: Medical, Legal, Acronyms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.01 sec.
pru·dence  (prdns)
n.
1. The state, quality, or fact of being prudent.
2. Careful management; economy.
Synonyms: prudence, discretion, foresight, forethought, circumspection
These nouns refer to the exercise of good judgment, common sense, and even caution, especially in the conduct of practical matters. Prudence is the most comprehensive: "She had been forced into prudence in her youth, she learned romance as she grew older" (Jane Austen).
Discretion suggests wise self-restraint, as in resisting a rash impulse: "The better part of valor is discretion" (Shakespeare).
Foresight implies the ability to foresee and make provision for what may happen: She had the foresight to make backups of her computer files.
Forethought suggests advance consideration of future eventualities: The empty refrigerator indicated a lack of forethought.
Circumspection implies discretion, as out of concern for moral or social repercussions: "The necessity of the times, more than ever, calls for our utmost circumspection" (Samuel Adams).

prudence [ˈpruːdəns]
n
1. caution in practical affairs; discretion or circumspection
2. care taken in the management of one's resources
3. consideration for one's own interests
4. the condition or quality of being prudent

Prudence of vicars: vicars collectivelyBk. of St. Albans, 1486.
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.prudence - discretion in practical affairs
natural virtue - (scholasticism) one of the four virtues (prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance) derived from nature
discernment, discretion - the trait of judging wisely and objectively; "a man of discernment"
providence - the prudence and care exercised by someone in the management of resources
frugality, frugalness - prudence in avoiding waste
imprudence - a lack of caution in practical affairs
2.prudence - knowing how to avoid embarrassment or distress; "the servants showed great tact and discretion"
sagaciousness, sagacity, discernment, judgement, judgment - the mental ability to understand and discriminate between relations
confidentiality - discretion in keeping secret information

prudence
noun
1. caution, care, discretion, vigilance, wariness, circumspection, canniness, heedfulness He urged prudence rather than haste on any new resolution.
2. wisdom, common sense, good sense, good judgment, sagacity, judiciousness acting with prudence and judgement
3. thrift, economy, planning, saving, precaution, foresight, providence, preparedness, good management, husbandry, frugality, forethought, economizing, far-sightedness, careful budgeting A lack of prudence may lead to financial problems.
Quotations
"I would rather worry without need than live without heed" [Beaumarchais The Barber of Seville]
"Prudence is a rich, ugly, old maid courted by incapacity" [William Blake Proverbs of Hell]
Proverbs
"Take care of the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves"
"A stitch in time saves nine"
"Waste not, want not"
Translations
prudence [ˈpruːdəns] Nprudencia f
prudence [ˈpruːdəns] nprudence f
prudence
n (of person)Umsicht f; (of measure, action, decision)Klugheit f; (of answer)Überlegtheit f; simple prudence should have made you stopder gesunde Menschenverstand hätte Sie davon abbringen müssen
prudence [ˈpruːdns] nprudenza
prudence [ˈpruːdns] nprudenza


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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
My prudence consists in avoiding and going without, not in the inventing of means and methods, not in adroit steering, not in gentle repairing.
Miss Bridget Allworthy (for that was the name of this lady) very rightly conceived the charms of person in a woman to be no better than snares for herself, as well as for others; and yet so discreet was she in her conduct, that her prudence was as much on the guard as if she had all the snares to apprehend which were ever laid for her whole sex.
Disposed, however, as he always is to think the best of everyone, her display of grief, and professions of regret, and general resolutions of prudence, were sufficient to soften his heart and make him really confide in her sincerity; but, as for myself, I am still unconvinced, and plausibly as her ladyship has now written, I cannot make up my mind till I better understand her real meaning in coming to us.
 
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