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. Keep sane and sober for your prayers." Prudence is "right reason in action," writes St. Thomas Aquinas, following Aristotle. 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. CCC 1806
Prudence is known as the mother of virtues because it is the measuring stick of goodness and being good and being virtuous are one. In practicing other virtues, such as justice, temperance, and fortitude (all 3 also cardinal virtues), they need to be exercised prudently. Prudential decisions are not decisions that are difficult; they are decisions of choosing goodness, ones that are not made impulsively without thought and consultation of those that are wiser. So we cannot practice prudence if we are prideful and think that no other opinions besides our own have value. In fact, a demonstration of prudence is first seeking the teachings of Sacred Tradition within the Catholic Church before acting on a matter of faith and morals. As prudence is determining what is good and right and then acting accordingly, so it makes sense that a submission to the wise, a practice of humility, and a strengthening of the intellect all go hand in hand and do not oppose each other.
Much of this is the opposite of what is glorified today. Often we see the person with the quickest and most confident sounding answer being labeled the most right. We are frequently too lazy to analyze what is factually true, or, in other words, what is real. We are more willing to suffer the negative consequences of our failures than admit we may not know something or have been incorrect in the past or need to search for more information to make sure we get it right. Jesus said to see ye first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you. He clearly did not say seek ye first to be thought of as right.
As men we have to be practicing prudence continuously. Every decision we make matters and should not be made lackadaisically or carelessly but with the thought of whether this is the “most right” thing I can do. If we see someone in need but we are in a hurry to get somewhere fun or entertaining, it is the virtue of prudence that allows us to overcome ourselves, put our personal pleasure aside, and help the other person. But it is also this virtue that allows us to operate effectively as a father, grandfather, or brother to those that need our care. This does not mean we should be scrupulous and over think every one of our actions. The virtue of temperance will help us with this balance. But we should build up habits through taking prudent actions on a regular basis so that we may fully live out our calling to manhood by making decisive, powerful, and consistent decisions day to day that move things forward. The greater the influence we have over people, the greater the importance of consciously taking actions and making choices that better prepare those in our purvey for heaven. This is the essence of prudence.
As we strive to be more like Jesus Christ as is our calling as Christians, it is important to keep in mind that God is complete goodness and has never acted out a thought ever that was not good. Rather than be intimidated by this truth, we should be honored that God thought enough of us to give us the strength to battle for good each and every day until God-willing we reach the point where we are purged completely of sin and enter the gates of perfect freedom.