"A
person is prudent not because he never makes a mistake, but because he
corrects his errors. He shows his prudence in preferring to miss the
mark twenty times rather than give in to an easygoing 'do nothing'
attitude. He won't rush into things foolishly or behave with absurd
rashness. He will run the risk of his decisions. Fear of failure will
not make him give up in his effort to do good. As we go through life we
find ourselves coming across people who are objective and know how to
weigh things up, who don't get heated or try to tip the balance towards
that which favours them. Almost instinctively, we find ourselves
trusting such people, because, unassumingly and quietly, they always act
in a good and upright manner.
This
open-hearted virtue is indispensable for Christian living. But the
highest goal of prudence is not social harmony or the peace which
results from not creating friction. The fundamental motive behind
prudence is to fulfil the will of God who wants us to be straightforward
without being childish, friends of truth but never bewildered or
superficial. 'The prudent heart shall possess knowledge', the knowledge
given by God's Love, that ultimate knowledge which can save us and bring
to all creation the reward of peace and understanding and, to each
soul, eternal life."
