prudence

Prudence

The Mulla was invited to a wedding feast. The last time he had been to that house, someone had carried off his sandals. Now, instead of leaving them at the door, he stuffed them into the inner pocket of his coat.
"What book is that in your pocket?" His host asked him.
"He may be after my shoes," thought Nasrudin; besides, I have a reputation as a learned man to keep up." Aloud he said:
"The subject of the bulge which you see is 'Prudence'."
"How interesting ! Which bookshop did you get it from?"
"As a matter of fact I got it from a shoemaker."

Pru"dence (?), n. [F., fr. L. prudentia, contr. from providentia. See Prudent, and cf. Providence.]

The quality or state of being prudent; wisdom in the way of caution and provision; discretion; carefulness; hence, also, economy; frugality.

Prudence is principally in reference to actions to be done, and due means, order, seasons, and method of doing or not doing. Sir M. Hale.

Prudence supposes the value of the end to be assumed, and refers only to the adaptation of the means. It is the relation of right means for given ends. Whewell.

Syn. -- Wisdom; forecast; providence; considerateness; judiciousness; discretion; caution; circumspection; judgment. See Wisdom.

© Webster 1913.