---
title: "Summa Theologica, First Half"
author: "Thomas Aquinas"
translator: "Fathers of the English Dominican Province"
languages: [en]
shelf: "Medieval"
section: 984 of 1210
url: https://scriptura.si/works/thomas-aquinas-summa-theologica-first-half/984/
cite: "Thomas Aquinas, tr. Fathers of the English Dominican Province, Summa Theologica, First Half, section 984. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/thomas-aquinas-summa-theologica-first-half/984/"
---

# Summa Theologica, First Half

*Thomas Aquinas, tr. Fathers of the English Dominican Province*

God and creation, human action, law and grace, then faith, hope, charity and justice.

## 984. II–II · Question 47: Of Prudence, Considered In Itself

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/thomas-aquinas-summa-theologica-first-half/984/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/thomas-aquinas-summa-theologica-first-half/984/#p-N

[¶0] OF PRUDENCE, CONSIDERED IN ITSELF (SIXTEEN ARTICLES)

[¶1] After treating of the theological virtues, we must in due sequence consider the cardinal virtues. In the first place we shall consider prudence in itself; secondly, its parts; thirdly, the corresponding gift; fourthly, the contrary vices; fifthly, the precepts concerning prudence.

[¶2] Under the first head there are sixteen points of inquiry:

[¶3] (1) Whether prudence is in the will or in the reason?

[¶4] (2) If in the reason, whether it is only in the practical, or also in the speculative reason?

[¶5] (3) Whether it takes cognizance of singulars?

[¶6] (4) Whether it is virtue?

[¶7] (5) Whether it is a special virtue?

[¶8] (6) Whether it appoints the end to the moral virtues?

[¶9] (7) Whether it fixes the mean in the moral virtues?

[¶10] (8) Whether its proper act is command?

[¶11] (9) Whether solicitude or watchfulness belongs to prudence?

[¶12] (10) Whether prudence extends to the governing of many?

[¶13] (11) Whether the prudence which regards private good is the same in species as that which regards the common good?

[¶14] (12) Whether prudence is in subjects, or only in their rulers?

[¶15] (13) Whether prudence is in the wicked?

[¶16] (14) Whether prudence is in all good men?

[¶17] (15) Whether prudence is in us naturally?

[¶18] (16) Whether prudence is lost by forgetfulness ?