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Summa Theologiae · II-II, q. 47

Question 47. Of Prudence Considered in Itself

Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae, Second Part of the Second Part. 16 articles.

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Text: Summa Theologiae, Project Gutenberg #18755, Second Part of the Second Part (Secunda Secundae), translated by the Fathers of the English Dominican Province. The Second Part of the Second Part of the Summa in the English Dominican translation (first printed 1911 to 1925; second and revised edition from 1920). A sample check on 2026-11-09 against pre-1931 printings at the Internet Archive (first printings of 1915 and 1916 and the second and revised edition of the 1920s) found that the article text matches, with no 1947 introduction, synopsis, or index. Question and article numbers were added by the transcriber. Rights: Public domain (US)

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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.

Under the first head there are sixteen points of inquiry:

(1) Whether prudence is in the will or in the reason?

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

(3) Whether it takes cognizance of singulars?

(4) Whether it is virtue?

(5) Whether it is a special virtue?

(6) Whether it appoints the end to the moral virtues?

(7) Whether it fixes the mean in the moral virtues?

(8) Whether its proper act is command?

(9) Whether solicitude or watchfulness belongs to prudence?

(10) Whether prudence extends to the governing of many?

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

(12) Whether prudence is in subjects, or only in their rulers?

(13) Whether prudence is in the wicked?

(14) Whether prudence is in all good men?

(15) Whether prudence is in us naturally?

(16) Whether prudence is lost by forgetfulness?

Articles

  1. Whether Prudence Is in the Cognitive or in the Appetitive Faculty?
  2. Whether Prudence Belongs to the Practical Reason Alone or Also to the Speculative Reason?
  3. Whether Prudence Takes Cognizance of Singulars?
  4. Whether Prudence Is a Virtue?
  5. Whether Prudence Is a Special Virtue?
  6. Whether Prudence Appoints the End to Moral Virtues?
  7. Whether It Belongs to Prudence to Find the Mean in Moral Virtues?
  8. Whether Command Is the Chief Act of Prudence?
  9. Whether Solicitude Belongs to Prudence?
  10. Whether Solicitude Belongs to Prudence?
  11. Whether Prudence About One's Own Good Is Specifically the Same As That Which Extends to the Common Good?
  12. Whether Prudence Is in Subjects, or Only in Their Rulers?
  13. Whether Prudence Can Be in Sinners?
  14. Whether Prudence Is in All Who Have Grace?
  15. Whether Prudence Is in Us by Nature?
  16. Whether Prudence Can Be Lost Through Forgetfulness?

Also online, linked only: the same translation at New Advent and the Latin text at Corpus Thomisticum. Neither is copied here.

Source: Thomas Aquinas. Summa Theologica, Second Part of the Second Part. Project Gutenberg #18755. Project Gutenberg record. Public domain in the USA. Outside the U.S., check local copyright rules. Project Gutenberg notices retained. The full Project Gutenberg license is kept in the hosted text.