Prudence is, dictionary.com tells us (because we lost the magnifying glass to use the condensed print version of the OED):
1340, "wisdom to see what is virtuous, or what is suitable or profitable," from O.Fr. prudence (13c.), from L. prudentia "foresight, sagacity," contraction of providentia "foresight". Secondary sense of "wisdom" (c.1375) now only in jurisprudence (q.v.). Prudent first recorded 1382, from O.Fr. prudent, from L. prudentem (nom. prudens) "foresighted, skilled, experienced," contraction of providens. First record of prudential is from c.1400.
Dictionary.com. Online Etymology Dictionary. Douglas Harper, Historian. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/prudence (accessed: December 13, 2008).
Having done with youth, we find ourselves somewhat “foresighted, skilled, experienced,” and beginning to look for the permanent things. To find such permanence, we concur, one must be cautious, careful, but not fearful. Like Aristotle (though not nearly as cool) we, the philosopher and the historian, aspire to filter our experiences in the world through prudence and wager that this will help us understand and find meaning in it.
So we begin. We promise not to complain about our husbands, our jobs, and the dirtiness of our houses (we hope) and instead record our witty and incisive observations for the ages.
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