Prudence (, contracted from meaning "seeing ahead, sagacity") is the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason. It is classically considered to be a virtue, and in particular one of the four Cardinal virtues (which are, with the three theological virtues, part of the seven virtues). Prudentia is an allegorical female personification of the virtue, whose attributes are a mirror and snake, who is frequently depicted as a pair with Justitia, the Roman goddess of Justice. The word derives from the 14th-century Old French word prudence, which, in turn, derives from the Latin prudentia meaning "foresight, sagacity". It is often associated with wisdom, insight, and knowledge. In this case, the virtue is the ability to judge between virtuous and vicious actions, not only in a general sense, but with regard to appropriate actions at a given time and place. Distinguishing when acts are courageous, as opposed to reckless or cowardly, is an act of prudence, so for this
Prudencia (contraída del significado de "ver adelante, sagacidad") es la capacidad de gobernar y disciplinarse mediante el uso de la razón. Se considera clásicamente como una virtud, y en particular una de las cuatro virtudes cardenales (que son, con las tres virtudes teológicas, parte de las siete virtudes). Prudentia es una personificación femenina alegórica de la virtud, cuyos atributos son un espejo y serpiente, que a menudo se representa como un par con Justitia, la diosa romana de la justicia. La palabra deriva de la palabra francesa del siglo XIV Viejo prudencia, que, a su vez, deriva del latín prudentia que significa "foresight, sagacidad". A menudo se asocia con la sabiduría, la visión y el conocimiento. En este caso, la virtud es la capacidad de juzgar entre las acciones virtuosas y viciosas, no sólo en un sentido general, sino con respecto a las acciones apropiadas en un lugar dado.