The Prudent Housewife

Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. ~Proverbs 31

Prudence is the Queen of Virtues and one of the four Cardinal Virtues. It’s knowing what’s what, but not only in an abstract way. The philosopher in his ivory tower might have knowledge of first principles and so on, but he might not know how to act upon those principles in a given moment.

Prudence is often called practical wisdom. We need to know the good (for instance, the 10 Commandments), but also be able to do the good, concretely, with confidence. We’re called upon to make a decision, to act — how do we do it well?

How do we live well? We can’t be following a set of rules like a computer; we’re not robots. We have to have the Good in our souls and do it.

It takes practice and trust. This is why I started The School for Housewives, to give you encouragement in finding serene competence, flaws and all, in little and big things.

As Prudence is a virtue, we can pray for it — ask God directly to give us the gift of Prudence — and try to build good habits of applied wisdom, wisdom in action, because as the maker of the home, the housewife has great responsibility.

The School for Housewives brings you short, practical, and thoughtful messages to inspire you to make your home. For the longer version: