Careful, wise discernment; the avoidance of rash behaviour or speech; the good management of talents and resources and the showing of tact and wisdom in relationships with other people.
The link between prudence and wisdom
Proverbs 8:12 See also Proverbs 1:1–6
I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.
Characteristics of prudence
Discernment
Proverbs 14:15 See also Proverbs 12:16, Proverbs 14:8; Luke 14:28–32
The simple man believes every word, but the prudent man watches his steps.
Foresight and caution
Proverbs 22:3 See also Proverbs 23:1–3; Amos 5:13
The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and suffer the consequences.
Wise use of knowledge
Proverbs 12:23 See also Proverbs 14:18; Matthew 7:6
A shrewd man keeps his knowledge to himself, but a foolish heart proclaims its folly.
Wise speech
Proverbs 21:23 See also Psalm 39:1; James 3:5–8
He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.
A teachable spirit
A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent.
Prudence involves good management of talents and resources
Good management commended
Proverbs 6:6–11 See also Genesis 41:33–40; Proverbs 24:27; Matthew 25:14–30
Walk in the manner of the ant, O slacker; observe its ways and become wise. Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, O slacker? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit.
Warnings against unwise financial dealings
Proverbs 22:26–27 See also Proverbs 6:1–5; Matthew 5:25–26
Do not be one who gives pledges, who puts up security for debts. If you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be taken from under you?
Examples of prudent behaviour
In averting disaster
1 Samuel 25:14–35 See also Genesis 32:3–21
In avoiding persecution
Acts 14:5–7 See also Matthew 12:14–16 parallel Mark 3:6–7 Jesus ChristActs 9:23–25, Acts 9:29–30 Acts 12:17 Peter
But when the Gentiles and Jews, together with their rulers, set out to mistreat and stone them, they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding region, where they continued to preach the gospel.
Prudence in dealing with other people
Genesis 26:26–31 Abimelech makes a treaty with Isaac; Genesis 32:3–21 Jacob prepares to meet Esau; Nehemiah 2:1–6 Nehemiah petitions Artaxerxes; Daniel 1:8–14 Daniel's diplomacy in avoiding Nebuchanezzar's food; Daniel 2:10–16 Daniel's wisdom and tact in the face of death; Matthew 22:15–22 Jesus Christ's wisdom on the question of paying taxes to Caesar; Acts 5:33–40 Gamaliel's speech to the Sanhedrin
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.