Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Prudence

Prudence , noun

[French, from Latin prudentia, contr. from providentia. See Prudent, and compare Providence.]

The quality or state of being prudent; wisdom in the way of caution and provision; discretion; carefulness; hence, also, economy; frugality.
Prudence is principally in reference to actions to be done, and due means, order, seasons, and method of doing or not doing. — Sir M. Hale
Prudence supposes the value of the end to be assumed, and refers only to the adaptation of the means. It is the relation of right means for given ends. — Whewell