Prudence encompasses the skill, ability, or wisdom to make choices that not only consider potential consequences but also aim to avoid conflict and promote what is right and beneficial to both oneself and humanity. It is a proactive approach that seeks to navigate situations with care and foresight, recognizing that conflict can have detrimental effects on relationships. By exercising prudence, individuals uphold the Commandment to “never maliciously deprive” and actively work towards preserving harmony and fostering happiness. Through the conscious consideration of actions and their potential impact, prudence becomes a guiding principle in making wise and virtuous decisions that contribute to the greater good.”.
- Be cordial. When you approach, communicate, discuss, talk to or listen to an individual you do not like or disagree use good judgment and discipline yourself to use reason vs emotion. Do not be judgmental.
- Your judgment may dictate that the individual you are conversing or dealing with is totally disagreeable, offensive, vile and revolting yet you need to rise above all that negative emotion and use reason to be gracious, hospitable, warm and friendly. When the opportunity presents itself, graciously excuse yourself from the meeting, discussion or conversation.
- Be sensitive to the feelings of children. Your tone of voice will make or break them. Be nice.
- Diplomacy requires prudence. Be attentive and listen more to what others are saying or just simply talking about. Always speak the truth. Make sure it is beneficial to all. Avoid excessive deliberations, otherwise folly will be your company. You can’t be diplomatic without being prudent. Being prudent however, does not imply that one has to be submissive to the bully or evil.
- If you are a leader and you vote for or create rules, make sure you consider the good of all the people. Never simply react. Consider all the options. Consider the consequences.
- In your daily life, prudence allows you to make good choices. It gives you the opportunity to weigh in the good and the bad. It helps you choose good friends and make better relationships and maintain friendship. Even in the choices of food, prudence will always come in handy.
- Self preservation is an instinct and our security is one of our basic needs. If another maliciously deprives you or your community and there is absolutely no way to rehabilitate the bully or make the situation any better then it is prudent to terminate the existence of the other.
- Learn to accept sincere apologies. We all make mistakes.
Prudence allows you to form alliances. Prudence maintains peace and harmony. Prudence paves the path to prosperity. Prudence allows you to have better security and it allows you to parley with your enemies. Prudence helps prevent or stop wars and can even turn your enemy into peaceful neighbors.
Prudence diminishes anger and can avoid hatred. You may have love in your heart but love alone does not prevent hatred. A son can love his mother but will easily hate the person who maliciously deprives her. Prudence will always pave the way for justice while sheer hatred equates to emotional revenge. Justice is never soft. When justice is properly administered it can provide tranquility in the lives of those who have been maliciously deprived and this can only be done by exercising prudence.
Never discourage anyone from doing anything that is not detrimental or harmful to anyone. Along the way while doing these activities although mundane and possibly unproductive to the observer, a person may learn something good.
| “Everyday this woman throws her dirty water in the same place and makes a muddy area. While just a few feet away there are plants withering. Was she doing something bad? No! A farmer came along and guided the woman into throwing her dirty water on the plants, thereby watering the plants. Now she benefits from the harvest.” |
Gentle Guidance and not Criticism.
- Truth without PRUDENCE may lead to violence.
Last Updated on June 10, 2023