Choose a topic from Part 2B:

53. Imprudence

1. Imprudence is the absence or lack of prudence. Whenthis lack is a person's own fault, it is a sin.

2. Sinful imprudence is a special sin, for it standsopposed to the special virtue of prudence. Yet, in one sense,imprudence is a general sin, for it takes in several other sins.These sins are: precipitation, thoughtlessness, inconstancy, andnegligence.

3. Precipitation is an inordinate rushing into actionunder the impulse of will or passion. It is plain to see that thissin has the character of imprudence.

4. Thoughtlessness, as a sin of imprudence, is a willfulfailure to judge a situation rightly because of a contempt for, ora neglect of, the things on which right judgment depends.

5. Inconstancy, as a sin of imprudence is the unwiseceasing from, or withdrawal from, a good purpose that has beenprudently taken up. Inconstancy results from appetite uncontrolledby prudent reason.

6. All these imprudences-precipitation, thoughtlessness,inconstancy-are born of appetite inordinately given to pleasures ofsense, and especially lustful appetite. We may justly say thatthese sins of imprudence are largely from lust.

"The one thing necessary which Jesus spoke of to Martha and Mary consists in hearing the word of God and living by it."
R. Garrigou-Lagrange, OP

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"It is better to be burdened and in company with the strong than to be unburdened and with the weak. When you are burdened you are close to God, your strength, who abides with the afflicted. When you are relieved of the burden you are close to yourself, your own weakness; for virtue and strength of soul grow and are confirmed in the trials of patience."
St John of the Cross, OCD - Doctor of the Church

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"If, devout soul, it is your will to please God and live a life of serenity in this world, unite yourself always and in all things to the divine will. Reflect that all the sins of your past wicked life happened because you wandered from the path of God's will. For the future, embrace God's good pleasure and say to him in every happening: "Yea, Father, for so it hath seemed good in thy sight." "
St Alphonsus de Liguori

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