Catechism of the Catholic Church
Share this paragraph of the Catechism:
Paragraph:
1806 Prudence is the virtue that disposes practical reason to discern our true good in every circumstance and to choose the right means of achieving it; "the prudent man looks where he is going." 65 "Keep sane and sober for your prayers." 66 Prudence is "right reason in action," writes St. Thomas Aquinas, following Aristotle. 67 It is not to be confused with timidity or fear, nor with duplicity or dissimulation. It is called auriga virtutum (the charioteer of the virtues); it guides the other virtues by setting rule and measure. It is prudence that immediately guides the judgment of conscience. The prudent man determines and directs his conduct in accordance with this judgment. With the help of this virtue we apply moral principles to particular cases without error and overcome doubts about the good to achieve and the evil to avoid.
Move forward or back a paragraph: Previous | Next
Where this paragraph appears in the Catechism:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 |
» |
PART THREE: LIFE IN CHRIST |
|
» |
SECTION ONE: MAN'S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT |
|
» |
CHAPTER ONE: THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON |
|
» |
ARTICLE 7: THE VIRTUES |
Notes for the above paragraph:
65 Prov 14:15.66 I Pet 4:7.
67 St. Thomas Aquinas, STh II-II, 47, 2.
English Translation of the Cathechism of the Catholic Church for the United States of America © 1997, United States Catholic Conference, Inc.
