August 6, 2013
Previously, I’ve written about the importance of being a virtuous man, but it’s difficult topursue virtueif we don’t first know whatvirtue is.Fortunately, Mother Church, building on the great thinkers of the ancient world, has outlined exactly which seven virtues we should pursue, and she has given us clear definitions of each.
The first four virtues are called the cardinal virtues because they play a primary role in our formation. They are prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance.
The first cardinal virtue is prudence. Now, prudence isn’t just the name of your great aunt on your mother’s side. It has been called the “charioteer of the virtues” since it helps control and moderate all of the other manly virtues we possess. Here’s how the Catechism defines it:
Prudence is the virtue that disposes practical reason to discern our true good in every circ*mstance and to choose the right means of achieving it; “the prudent man looks where he is going.”
Choices, Choices
The spirit of the age idolizes choice. At the grocery store, there are ten kinds of cheese, the mall is full of competingstores, hundreds of electronic devices flood the market, and we even have 20 different shampoos to choose from at the drugstore.
More importantly, on a moral level, society enshrines the ability to choose anything—even disordered sexual activity or killing one’s own children through abortion—as sacred. The majority of men today sincerely believe that they have a fundamental right to choose any action, regardless of its morality, without consequences.
But the ability to choose is inherently a neutral thing. It is what we choose that matters, and that’s where prudence comes in. Prudence helps us apply what we know to be right and true to situations in every day life and make good choices as a result. Put another way, prudence helps us to be “doers of the word, and not hearers only,” as St. James says.
Acquiring Prudence
Since prudence is not a choice, but rather something that governs our choices, it is a more difficult virtue to acquire. Still, it isn’t impossible, and here areat least three ways to become a more prudent man.
1. Learn from your mistakes: Many times in life, we make painful or humiliating choices. When this happens, we can either feel sorry for ourselves, or we can learn from our mistakes and gain wisdom. If we choose to learn from our mistakes, our deposit of knowledge builds up over time, providing us with a reservoir of experience that we can use to make prudent choices.
2. Learn from others: If there’s one lesson the wisdom books of Scripture (Wisdom, Sirach, Proverbs, etc.) seek to drive home, it is the importance of learning from those who are older than wiser than we are. This takes humility, but if we can borrow the experience of others to fill our prudential reservoir, it will save us from many painful lessons.
3. Consider carefully: Men tend to be rash and hasty in judgment, whereas women tend to be more careful and cautious. Sometimes our manly impulsiveness can be a good thing, but most of the time it is not. When faced with a choice, we need to control our desire to leap into action, and instead carefully consider the ramifications of our choices. As St. Augustine said, “Patience is the companion of wisdom.”
Conclusion
Prudence is a virtue that takes time to acquire, but because it governs the other virtues, it is one of the most important virtues we can possess. Choose to learn from your mistakes, learn from others, and patiently consider your choices, and before you know it, you will be well on your way to prudent and wise manhood.
What about you? Does prudence come naturally to you? Do you consider yourself a prudent person?
FAQs
Prudence is a virtue that takes time to acquire, but because it governs the other virtues, it is one of the most important virtues we can possess. Choose to learn from your mistakes, learn from others, and patiently consider your choices, and before you know it, you will be well on your way to prudent and wise manhood.
What are the 4 cardinal virtues of the Catholic Church? ›
They are prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. They form a virtue theory of ethics. The term cardinal comes from the Latin cardo (hinge); these four virtues are called “cardinal” because all other virtues fall under them and hinge upon them.
What is the cardinal virtue of prudence Catholic? ›
St Augustine identified four cardinal virtues: Prudence: prudence makes it possible for people to choose that act which here and now best helps them to move in the direction of their final end. The parts of prudence include reasoning, understanding, circ*mspection, foresight, docility, caution, and memory.
What is the Catholic gentleman fortitude? ›
The virtue of fortitude enables one to conquer fear, even fear of death, and to face trials and persecutions. It disposes one even to renounce and sacrifice his life in defense of a just cause. “The Lord is my strength and my song.” “In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
What are the virtues of a Catholic man? ›
The cardinal virtues are prudence, temperance, fortitude, and justice, and the theological virtues are faith, hope, and charity.
Are there 4 or 7 cardinal virtues? ›
In Christian tradition, the seven heavenly virtues combine the four cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, temperance, and fortitude with the three theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity.
What are the 3 main virtues in the Catholic faith? ›
There are three theological virtues: faith, hope, and charity. 1814 Faith is the theological virtue by which we believe in God and believe all that he has said and revealed to us, and that Holy Church proposes for our belief, because he is truth itself.
Is prudence the mother of all virtues? ›
As the "mother" of all virtues
Prudence was considered by the ancient Greeks and later by Christian philosophers, most notably Thomas Aquinas, as the cause, measure, and form of all virtues. It is considered to be the auriga virtutum or the charioteer of the virtues.
Why is prudence the mother of all virtues? ›
Prudence, the “mother” of all of the virtues, is the virtue by which a person recognizes his moral duty and the good means to accomplish it. Actually, prudence is part of the definition of goodness. A person can be prudent and good only simultaneously. No other virtue can contradict what is prudent.
How do you practice virtue of prudence? ›
Prudence requires being thoughtful in your decisions and pausing to consider your options before acting. It is a strength derived through self-control. When you're cautious, you don't take needless chances or say or do things you'll come to regret later.
Love is the greatest of all virtues, giving form and shape to all the others and binding them together. “Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth.
Who is the gentleman saint? ›
Known as "The Gentleman Saint," his spirit of optimism, hope, freedom confidence in God's love prompts the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales to please God by doing everything - big or small enthusiastically and well. He is the patron saint of adult education, the deaf, and journalists.
What is the virtue prudence? ›
The Virtue of Prudence
Prudence is always associated with moral virtue because it is the disposition or habit of choosing the best methods for achieving good ends or goals and never bad ones. To be prudent is to be careful, but not timid. Much is at stake in human actions.
What are the 3 most important virtues? ›
They are the virtues of faith, hope and charity. They are called theological for three different reasons. First, these virtues are related to God. Second, they are given by God.
What are the 7 virtues and vices Catholic? ›
Christian doctrine incorporates into the Judeo-Christian tradition the deadly sins that we all know (and their demons), as well as the virtues that are supposed to defeat or at least neutralize: 1) pride / humility, 2) greed / generosity, 3) lust / chastity, 4) anger / patience, 5) gluttony / temperance, 6) envy / ...
What are the virtues of a Catholic husband? ›
It calls spouses to imitate Jesus by their willingness to sacrifice themselves in everyday situations for each other and their children. Couples must also grow in the moral virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. Two virtues that are sometimes overlooked are chastity and gratitude.
What are the 7 sins vs 7 virtues? ›
Christian doctrine incorporates into the Judeo-Christian tradition the deadly sins that we all know (and their demons), as well as the virtues that are supposed to defeat or at least neutralize: 1) pride / humility, 2) greed / generosity, 3) lust / chastity, 4) anger / patience, 5) gluttony / temperance, 6) envy / ...
What is the most important virtue? ›
In his Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle discusses virtues, both moral and intellectual. He argues that one virtue rises above all the others: wisdom. Unlike other virtues, it's an end in itself and, thus, the best way to achieve happiness—the goal of life.
What does fortitude mean as a virtue? ›
1808 Fortitude is the moral virtue that ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit. of the good. It strengthens the resolve to resist temptations and to overcome obstacles in the moral. life.
What are the four cardinal principles and eight virtues? ›
The Four Cardinal Principles are propriety (禮), righteousness (義), integrity (廉), and shame (恥). The Eight Virtues are loyalty (忠), filial piety (孝), benevolence (仁) love (愛), honesty (信) justice (義), harmony (和), and peace (平).
