Character Quote by Jeremy Collier
“Prudence is a necessary ingredient in all the virtues, without which they degenerate into folly and excess.”
About This Quote
Source Treatise: Moral Philosophy 1690, Jeremy Collier on prudence
Argues prudence underpins all virtues, preventing them from becoming excessive or foolish
In simple terms: Prudence is essential to keep virtues balanced and wise
Key Takeaway
Cultivate prudence to guide moral actions
Themes
virtue ethics
balance
wisdom
self‑control
Mood
thoughtful
cautious
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- personal development
- leadership training
- ethical committees
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
practical wisdom
ethical decision‑making
Questions to Reflect On
- When does prudence become over‑cautious?
- How can we balance prudence with boldness?
A Different Perspective
May be interpreted as overly cautious, stifling spontaneity
![“[Prudence] is the virtue of that part of the intellect [the calculative] to which it belongs; and . . . our choice of actions will not be right without Prudence any more than without Moral Virtue, since, while Moral Virtue enables us to achieve the end, Prudence makes us adopt the right means to…” quote by Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/be1/aristotle-78_achieve_prudence-is-the-virtue-of-that-part-of-t_431676.jpg)
![“[the virtues] cannot exist without Prudence. A proof of this is that everyone, even at the present day, in defining Virtue, after saying what disposition it is [i.e. moral virtue] and specifying the things with which it is concerned, adds that it is a disposition determined by the right principle…” quote by Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/134/aristotle-78_add_the-virtues-cannot-exist-without-prudenc_3029435.jpg)
