[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/prudence/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [P](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/p/) / prudence

# prudence

noun (prudence — uncountable; also a girl's name, Prudence)

«prudence» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Prudence is being careful and sensible, thinking ahead so you avoid risks and mistakes. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prudence/#m1)
2. (money) Prudence is being careful with money, not wasting it and saving for the future. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prudence/#m2)
3. (church, ethics) In Christian teaching, prudence is one of the four cardinal virtues: wisely choosing what is right. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prudence/#m3)
4. Prudence is also a girl's name. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prudence/#m4)

### In the lessons

In ethics and RE lessons prudence is a virtue, along with justice, courage and self-control. In money talk, prudence means spending wisely and saving. In fables, the prudent ant saves food for winter while the grasshopper plays. Phrases: «act with prudence», «financial prudence», «prudence and courage».

### Examples

- Prudence told her to wait until the ice was thick enough. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prudence/#x1)
- The ant showed prudence by storing food for winter. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prudence/#x2)
- With prudence, Grandma saved enough for a holiday. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prudence/#x3)
- Prudence is one of the four cardinal virtues. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prudence/#x4)
- It would be prudence, not cowardice, to turn back in the storm. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prudence/#x5)
- The family used their money with prudence. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prudence/#x6)
- At this splendid offer Peder's prudence gave way; it was a shame to let so much money go. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prudence/#x7)

### Note

Uncountable. Adjective «prudent», adverb «prudently». The opposite is «imprudence» or recklessness. Not the same as «prudish» (easily shocked by talk about bodies or love), which comes from «prude».

## In Jewish tradition

In Proverbs it is a part of wisdom: care and good sense in how to act.

**Interpretation.** Wisdom herself speaks of dwelling with prudence. The tradition values it as a skill that the simple and the young can learn.

### Examples

- I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of devices. (Writings PRO.8.12, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/prudence/#x1)
- To give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion; (Writings PRO.1.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/prudence/#x2)
- O ye thoughtless, understand prudence, and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. (Writings PRO.8.5, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/prudence/#x3)

### Note

Uncountable. Adjective «prudent», adverb «prudently». The opposite is «imprudence» or recklessness. Not the same as «prudish» (easily shocked by talk about bodies or love), which comes from «prude».

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «prudence» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/prudence/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«prudence» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/prudence.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «prudence» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/prudence/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«prudence» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/prudence.html) on Mova free.