Literary notes about Imprudence (AI summary)
In literature, "imprudence" is often employed to evoke a sense of rashness or a lack of due caution, functioning as a device that both exposes character flaws and propels the narrative. Authors deploy the term to highlight moral shortcomings or strategic errors, as seen when a captive confesses his sin born of imprudence [1], or when a character's hasty decisions force drastic measures, such as the abandonment of long-held plans [2]. It can convey not only personal fault—a brief lapse in judgment that invites subsequent regret [3, 4]—but also serve as a commentary on broader social or political missteps, illustrated by critiques of military caution or governance [5, 6, 7]. Whether whispered in moments of self-reproach or denounced as a collective failing, the word imbues both subtle irony and profound consequence to actions that stray from wisdom [8, 9, 10].
- The captive implored pardon and suppliantly confessed his crime, a sin of imprudence.
— from The Fables of Phædrus by Phaedrus - It was the imprudence which had brought things to extremity, and obliged her brother to give up every dearer plan in order to fly with her.”
— from Mansfield Park by Jane Austen - Still my conduct has been highly blameable, and while I attempt to justify myself, I blush at recollecting my imprudence.
— from The Monk: A Romance by M. G. Lewis - Ashamed of my imprudence, I with difficulty found words to excuse myself.
— from The Monk: A Romance by M. G. Lewis - Government seemed to fear it should be obliged to take some steps which circumstances rendered necessary on account of my imprudence.
— from The Confessions of Jean Jacques Rousseau — Complete by Jean-Jacques Rousseau - Let none, therefore, presume to ascribe the victory of the Barbarians to the fear, the weakness, or the imprudence, of the Roman troops.
— from The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon - The imprudence of the emperor had separated his forces after the reduction of Malazkerd.
— from The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon - “Here’s why I let you live, Basilio, and by such imprudence I expose myself to the risk of being some day betrayed by you.
— from The Reign of Greed by José Rizal - The consequences of this imprudence were fatal.
— from Frankenstein; Or, The Modern Prometheus by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley - That controversy made it plain That letting go a good secure, In hope of future gain, Is but imprudence pure.
— from Fables of La Fontaine — a New Edition, with Notes by Jean de La Fontaine
