Virtue contemplation: Prudence

Be aware of the consequence of your actions

Plato identified Prudence as a cardinal virtue with classes of the city, which he described in The Republic, and associated it with the class of rulers and to reason. The Roman philosopher Cicero writes: “Virtue may be defined as a habit of mind (animi).” In harmony with reason and the order of nature, he lists “prudentiam” along with justice, courage and temperance as the four parts of virtue. The Catholic Church also sees prudence as the first of the four cardinal virtues along with fortitude, temperance and justice. The cardinal virtues are seen as those virtues that are needed for all the other virtues to manifest. Symbolically, prudence is often represented by the symbol of a scroll or a book to indicate that prudence is knowledge, learned being applied correctly, or by a mirror indicating the importance of self-awareness.

Prudence is an awareness of the present moment and the opportunity to give expression to the other virtues. Prudence is in essence the filter that selects the most appropriate virtue to express given the circumstances within which you find yourself. Prudence therefore is mindfulness that is cognisant of the circumstances, opportunities and value that can be brought into a particular situation. Prudence can also be defined as exercising wisdom in the present moment. Zeal without prudence can easily lead to an unintended result if the possible outcomes of our actions are not fully considered. The same is applicable to courage … we may have the courage to do something only to find out that the action itself is detrimental. Courage to act in a situation where patience is required can lead to war. Prudence recognises that all virtues act on a continuum and that the level of virtue expressed is a variable that must be driven by choice.

Prudence is also associated with wisdom, judgment, common sense and sagacity. For the Mystic, prudence acts on consciousness and on the need to consider all the factors at play in order to select the best action for those circumstances. However, prudence is not about delaying action or decisions. Indeed prudence is not just concerned with the best action but also with the best timing of action. When we act automatically from previous conditioning and learned behaviour then we cannot be prudent. Prudence asks for self-awareness as well awareness of the situation within which we find ourselves, so that we can consciously select the appropriate action.

Prudence is like the rudder of a ship that is used continually to direct our lives in the direction we want to take it. Within the context of a Mystic, prudence asks what the impact of an action will be on our own inner being but also on that of other people. Prudence allows you to see the big picture, like a map, while the other virtues enable you to conduct your daily affairs.

Prudence manifests at the point where our conscience joins our consciousness. Without conscience we do not have self-awareness or awareness of the circumstances, and with conscience we do not have good judgement of what is good or bad at a particular time or in particular circumstances. The action of prudence is not just an intuitive act but requires learning so that we leverage value from the total learning of humanity. Prudence in this sense means going beyond relying on our own insight alone; we must also trust in the insight of humanity’s collective experience. Although learning itself is not by default an act of prudence it does form a foundation of preparedness that will allow us to act with prudence. A key aspect enabling prudence is that human nature is endowed with the capacity to remember. Prudence therefore does not just require looking forward but also reflecting on the consequences of past actions and remembering the relationship between cause and effect.

Prudence is the control that links what we want to be with how we are. Prudence however is not just acting from learning but also acting from our divine nature rather than our human nature. Prudence is the practical application of reason. Prudence considers the impact on our soul first in every action or decision, and it considers how the benevolence of divinity can be expressed. Before every action we ask ourselves, what choice would best serve universal good.

© All rights reserved. Jurgens Pieterse

Virtue contemplation: Gratitude

Gratitude is an expression of appreciation for some benefit received. We give acknowledgement to the giver and in the act of gratitude acknowledge and affirm the other party’s self-worth. Gratitude is given freely and voluntary without any expectation to receive anything back in return. The nature of gratitude is to expand and multiply energy. Express gratitude and it opens the door for energy to flow in to your life. In this regard there is a close relationship between gratitude and enthusiasm.

The continuum of gratitude is between complaining and being overly sweetened by pretence.  When we complain we focus on the lack of benefit and we self-righteously demand more than was given, while an over-expression of gratitude without real intent is false and degrading. Complaining negates responsibility and shifts blame onto external circumstances. Consequently the individual is disempowered and becomes a victim of circumstances. Pretence might look like gratitude but if it is not sincere then it remains an empty act; the external effect created might be valid but the internal benefit of virtue is lost. When insincerity is discovered it leads to distrust and a decline of harmony.

Many opportunities to show gratitude cross our path on a daily basis wherever and whenever we interact with other people. Gratitude, when expressed, creates an environment of harmony. In order to be grateful towards others we need to become aware of the role they play and how they contribute towards our lives even when their intent is not necessarily to do so. A shop assistant providing a quick and prompt service may be thanked for a friendly smile. Gratitude contributes more to harmony and the edification of the society within which we live when it is expressed clearly and specifically. A simple ”thank you”, said as a matter of fact or as a passing statement, does not have even close to the power of a statement that is specific and directly posed: “Thank you for the prompt service” while looking the other person in the eyes. Gratitude demands sincerity and a real attempt to connect with the other person on a more personal basis.

Besides having a beneficial impact on society, gratitude is also an inward state of acknowledging the resources that one has available in one’s own life. Gratitude sees value beyond the norm. Being grateful for knowledge acquired, or a talent, or a result achieved, builds our self-worth. Gratitude wires the brain to see more fully our own human potential and encourages us to live closer to our full potential irrespective of environmental conditions. Gratitude is a light that provides us with hope in the darkest moments for even in the darkest moments we have some resource or ability we can employ to assist us. In this way we are always reminded that we have the means to make changes.

Gratitude spawns generosity and an abundance mentality that frees us to share with others what we have. When we are truly thankful for what we have received then we are also more eager to give. Life becomes an adventure. Gratitude can be expressed by paying forward the benefits we have received. When we are grateful for service given to us, we are energised to express that gratitude in service to others. Although that gratitude does not flow directly back to the original giver it expands the original energy and intent like a ripple that travels through society.

© All rights reserved. Jurgens Pieterse