Prudence (,
contracted from meaning "seeing ahead, sagacity") is the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of
reason. It is classically considered to be a
virtue, and in particular one of the four
Cardinal virtues (which are, with the three
theological virtues, part of the
seven virtues).
Prudentia is an allegorical female personification of the virtue, whose attributes are a mirror and snake, who is frequently depicted as a pair with
Justitia, the Roman goddess of Justice.