Prudence and joy
29
Nov
The virtue of prudence can at first glance be
thought of as having a cautious, sensible and patient attitude, which can be its components, but it is more closely linked to the idea of a cautious joy that is also a joy.
The prudent have balance because in it they find peace and happiness, it is beyond being seen only as a religious virtue, some wise philosophers also noticed it, in Letter on Happiness he observes: “… of all these things, prudence is the principle and supreme good, which is why it is more precious than philosophy itself […]” (EPICURE, 2002, p. 45).
We have free will and we can make choices, in Epicurus’ view we can be happy if we stay in a balanced position of pleasure, which may seem like less joy, but it avoids the search as if something is missing and so we can fall into traps and unnecessary suffering if we go beyond a certain balance.
Someone may remember the biblical parable of the “prudent virgins” (Matthew 25:1) in which 10 virgins are waiting for the “bridegroom” and are carrying lamps (vessels for lighting wicks) in their lamps, but only 5 have enough oil and the other 5 are lacking it, in my opinion referring to virtues.
Of course, the bridegroom, in the biblical case, is Jesus, so we’re waiting for his second coming, but since there are four cardinal virtues, we need to add the fifth, which is Love, since in the presence of the divine we don’t need faith (the divine is already unveiled) nor hope (which is already achieved by those who have a lighted candle).
The accuracy of this parable is because prudence is explained in both religious and cultural terms. The biblical parables used by Jesus had this “didactic” aspect, and in this case this virtue becomes clearer: keeping the candle lit as a resource of wisdom, justice, fortitude and love, so that there is enough oil to keep us “waiting” for the divine.
EPICURE, (2002) Carta sobre a felicidade (A Meneceu) (Lettera sulla felicita). Tradução e apresentação de Álvaro Lorencine e Enzo Del Carratore. Brazil, São Paulo: Editora UNESP.
