Literary notes about Prudence (AI summary)
In literature, prudence is often portrayed as a guiding virtue that balances boldness with caution. Historical narratives depict prudence as essential for successful leadership and statecraft, as seen when it is credited with averting disasters and planning decisive strategies [1, 2]. In more personal contexts, writers contrast prudence against passion and folly, suggesting that the tempering of impulsive desires is a sign of wisdom [3, 4]. Poetic and philosophical works celebrate prudence as both a moral and practical foundation, one that harmonizes reason with experience and advises restraint in the face of adversity [5, 6]. Even in debates of civic and ethical responsibility, prudence emerges as a quality that defines both individual conduct and the administration of justice [7, 8].
- The final abolition of the Praetorian guards was a measure of prudence as well as of revenge.
— from The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon - The prudence of the emperor foresaw the danger, and provided the remedy.
— from The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon - When Della reached home her intoxication gave way a little to prudence and reason.
— from The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry - My foolish fondness for that boy blinded the eyes of my prudence—but it is better as it is.
— from The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole - Our life is divided betwixt folly and prudence: whoever will write of it but what is reverend and canonical, will leave above the one-half behind.
— from Essays of Michel de Montaigne — Complete by Michel de Montaigne - The beginning of wisdom, get wisdom, and with all thy possession purchase prudence.
— from The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Complete - It is on this occasion, my dear Africanus, that you show your country the greatness of your understanding, capacity, and prudence.
— from Cicero's Tusculan Disputations by Marcus Tullius Cicero - The boldest hopes of rapine, perhaps of conquest, outweighed the considerations of timid prudence, or national faith.
— from The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon
