What does the Bible say about prudence?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible commends prudence as wise, God-fearing discernment that receives instruction, considers consequences, and acts carefully rather than impulsively. Proverbs 27:12 and 22:3 praise the person who foresees danger and takes refuge, while Proverbs 14:15 warns against believing every word. True prudence is joined to knowledge and sound judgment, as Proverbs 8:12 and 13:16 teach, and it humbly listens to correction rather than despising it (Proverbs 15:5). Believers are called to sober-minded prayerfulness in light of Christ's return (1 Peter 4:7), trusting the Holy Spirit, who guides God's people into truth (John 16:13). Prudence is therefore not fearful self-reliance, but faithful wisdom shaped by God's Word.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Proverbs 27:12
A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge; But the simple pass on, and suffer for it:
- Proverbs 8:12
"I, wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling. Find out knowledge and discretion.
- Proverbs 13:16
Every prudent man acts from knowledge, But a fool exposes folly.
- 1 Peter 4:7
But the end of all things is near. Therefore be of sound mind, self-controlled, and sober in prayer.
- Proverbs 14:15
A simple man believes everything, But the prudent man carefully considers his ways.
- Proverbs 15:5
A fool despises his father's correction, But he who heeds reproof shows prudence.
- Proverbs 22:3
A prudent man sees danger, and hides himself; But the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
- John 16:13
However when he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will guide you into all truth, for he will not speak from himself; but whatever he hears, he will speak. He will declare to you things that are coming.
- Proverbs 15:2
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, But the mouth of fools gush out folly.
- Proverbs 19:14
House and riches are an inheritance from fathers, But a prudent wife is from Yahweh.
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
Nave's Topical Bible
- General scriptures concerning Job 34:3; Job 34:4; Psalms 39:1; Psalms 112:5; Proverbs 6:1; Proverbs 6:2; Proverbs 8:12; Proverbs 11:13; Proverbs 11:15; Proverbs 11:29; Proverbs 12:8; Proverbs 12:16
- See DIPLOMACY
- See GENTLENESS
- See WISDOM
- INSTANCES OF
- Jacob, in his conduct toward Esau Genesis 32:3-21
- Jacob, toward his sons, after Dinah’ s defilement Genesis 34:5; Genesis 34:30
- Joseph, in the affairs of Egypt Genesis 41:33-57
- Jethro’ s advice to Moses Exodus 18:17-23
- The Israelites, in the threatened war with the two and one-half tribes Joshua 22:10-34
- Saul, in not killing the Jabesh-gileadites 1 Samuel 11:13
- David, in his conduct toward Saul 1 Samuel 18:5-30
- David, in overthrowing Ahithophel’ s shrewd advice 2 Samuel 15:33-37
- Abigail, in averting David’ s anger 1 Samuel 25:18-31
- Achish, in dismissing David 1 Samuel 29
- Elijah, in his escape from Jezebel 1 Kings 19:3; 1 Kings 19:4
- Rehoboam’ s advisers 1 Kings 12:7
- Jehoram, in suspecting a Syrian stratagem 2 Kings 7:12; 2 Kings 7:13
- Nehemiah, in conduct of affairs at Jerusalem Nehemiah 2:12-16; Nehemiah 4:13-23
- Daniel Daniel 1:8-14
- Certain elders of Israel Jeremiah 26:17-23
- Of Jesus
- In charging those who were healed not to “advertise” his miracles Matthew 9:30; Matthew 16:20; Mark 3:12; Mark 5:43; Mark 7:36; Mark 8:30; Mark 9:9
- Going to the feast secretly John 7:10
- In walking “no longer openly,” John 11:54; John 12:36
- In avoiding his enemies Matthew 12:14-16; Mark 3:7; John 11:47-54
- Joseph, in his conduct toward Mary Matthew 1:19
- Peter, in escaping from Herod Agrippa I Acts 12:17
- Paul
- In circumcising Timothy Acts 16:3
- In performing temple rites Acts 21:20-26
- In turning the Jewish sects against each other Acts 23:6
- Avoiding suspicion in administering the gifts of the congregations 2 Corinthians 8:20
- His lack of, in his persistence in going to Jerusalem despite the warnings of the Spirit and his friends Acts 20:22-25; Acts 20:37; Acts 20:38; Acts 21:10-14
- Paul and Barnabas, in escaping persecution Acts 14:6
- Paul and Silas, in escaping from Berea Acts 17:10-15
- The town clerk of Ephesus, in averting a riot Acts 19:29-41
- See DIPLOMACY
Torrey's New Topical Textbook
- Exhibited in the manifestation of God’s grace Ephesians 1:8
- Exemplified by Christ Isaiah 52:13; Matthew 21:24-27; Matthew 22:15-21
- Intimately connected with wisdom Proverbs 8:12
- The wise celebrated for Proverbs 16:21
- They who have
- Get knowledge Proverbs 18:15
- Deal with knowledge Proverbs 13:16
- Look well to their goings Proverbs 14:15
- Understand the ways of God Hosea 14:9
- Understand their own ways Proverbs 14:8
- Crowned with knowledge Proverbs 14:18
- Not ostentatious of knowledge Proverbs 12:23
- Foresee and avoid evil Proverbs 22:3
- Are preserved by it Proverbs 2:11
- Suppress angry feelings Proverbs 12:16; Proverbs 19:11
- Regard reproof Proverbs 15:5
- Keep silence in the evil time Amos 5:13
- Saints act with Psalms 112:5
- Saints should especially exercise, in their intercourse with unbelievers Matthew 10:16; Ephesians 5:15; Colossians 4:5
- Virtuous wives act with Proverbs 31:16; Proverbs 31:26
- The young should cultivate Proverbs 3:21
- Of the wicked
- Fails in times of perplexity Jeremiah 49:7
- Keeps them from the knowledge of the gospel Matthew 11:25
- Denounced by God Isaiah 5:21; Isaiah 29:15
- Defeated by God Isaiah 29:14; 1 Corinthians 1:19
- Necessity for - Illustrated Matthew 25:3; Matthew 25:9; Luke 14:28-32
- Exemplified
- Jacob Genesis 32:3-23
- Joseph Genesis 41:39
- Jethro Exodus 18:19-23
- Gideon Judges 8:1-3
- David 1 Samuel 16:18
- Abigail 1 Samuel 25:23-31; 2 Samuel 15:32-34; 2 Samuel 17:6-14
- Aged counsellors of Rehoboam 1 Kings 12:7
- Solomon 2 Chronicles 2:12
- Nehemiah Nehemiah 2:12-16; Nehemiah 4:13-18
- The Poor Wise Man Ecclesiastes 9:15
- The Scribe Mark 12:32-34
- Gamaliel Acts 5:34-39
Showing the first 40 headings of this outline.
See also
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