Prudence: Judging and choosing rightly within specific circumstances what we must do as a good means to achieve a good objective, diverted neither by ill regulated desires nor by acting rashly.
Reflection on Prudence by Brian Kusek, Ed.D., Director of Campus Ministry
Disposing one’s practical reason to discern the true good in every circumstance and to choose the right means of achieving it.
“The prudent man looks where he is going” -Proverbs 14:15
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus teaches about the importance of prudence through the parable of the wise and foolish builders. The wise man is described as one who builds his house on rock, ensuring stability against storms, while the foolish man builds on sand, leading to ruin when challenges arise (Matthew 7:24-27). Surely Jesus had another proverb in mind when he taught this parable: “By wisdom the house shall be built, and by prudence it shall be strengthened” (Proverbs 24:3-4).
The role of prudence in decision-making processes cannot be overstated. Educators must carefully consider the implications of their choices, weighing the potential outcomes for their students and the broader school community. The prudent person is creative, reasoning and evaluating situations while understanding their complexities. This creative reasoning allows teachers to make informed decisions that promote a positive learning atmosphere and foster student engagement.
Prudence, besides being called a “cardinal” virtue, is often referred to as the “mistress of virtues” because it directs all other virtues towards their proper ends. It acts on all faculties of the soul – memory, understanding, and will – ensuring that our actions align with our ultimate goal of salvation.
Faults opposing prudence are legion, and can severely hinder the good work we seek to accomplish in Catholic higher education. Therefore, it’s worth meditating on whether these are present in our work and if so, how we can weed them out. Do we focus solely on temporal concerns? Do we use deceitful means to achieve ends? Do we distrust divine providence?
In De La Salle’s framework, prudence is emphasized as a foundational virtue for teachers. It is described as an intellectual habit that enables educators to discern what is virtuous in various situations and to act accordingly. This discernment is vital in guiding decisions that affect not only the academic success of students but also their moral and spiritual development. The ultimate goal of Catholic education, as our founder so often preached, is salvation.
May God grant us the grace to build our house on solid foundations, prudently examining things in relation to our ultimate end.