Prudence, also known as wisdom, is the assumption that “like events will follow like actions.” In short, prudence is the presumption of future events based on past experience, and when it is applied to unjust ends, it is known as craft. Prudence can be false, but it those with the most experience who have the most prudence.
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Prudence Term Timeline in Leviathan
The timeline below shows where the term Prudence appears in Leviathan. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 3: Of the Consequence or Trayne of Imaginations
...is reasonable to assume that “like events will follow like actions.” This assumption is called prudence or wisdom.
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Prudence can be false; however, those people with the most experience are often the most prudent,...
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Chapter 5: Of Reason, and Science
...the ability to sense objects and create memory, nor is reason accumulated through experience like prudence. Reason is obtained through the naming of things, established definitions, and the connections made from...
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Chapter 8: Of the VERTUES commonly called INTELLECTUAL: and their contrary DEFECTS
...thoughts have a specific purpose and contain much experience and memory, this is known as prudence, and prudence applied to unjust ends is called craft.
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Chapter 10: Of Power, Worth, Dignity, Honour, and Worthinesse
...instrumental. Natural power is that which comes from the mind or body, like strength or prudence. Instrumental powers are those powers acquired by natural power or by fortune, such as wealth,...
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Chapter 13: Of the Naturall Condition of Mankind, as concerning their Felicity, and Misery
...one person to claim superiority over another. Hobbes also admits that some people have more prudence and experience than others; however, this, too, suggests people are more equal than not, since...
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Chapter 46: Of DARKNESS from VAIN PHILOSOPHY, and FABULOUS TRADITIONS
...of the sun and stars. Philosophy does not include knowledge that comes from experience or prudence, as such knowledge comes from memory not reason. A false conclusion is not philosophy, nor...
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