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Prudence: Choose Confidently, Live Boldly
Decisions, decisions … life presents us with so many, big and small. How can we confidently make choices that bring us true happiness? The life of the virtues holds the key, and among those virtues, prudence holds the reins.
No, this isn’t your grandmother’s definition of prudence. This virtue actually inspires practical wisdom, allowing us to choose well and to bring order into our lives. In Choose Confidently, Live Boldly, Fr. Gregory Pine, OP, aims to work prudence back into the conversation and to explain how it can transform us along our path toward what really matters.
In the face of fleeting emotions and conflicting convictions, learn how prudence will help you find wholeness, happiness, and freedom.
About the Author
Fr. Gregory Pine, OP, is a Dominican friar of the Province of Saint Joseph. He is coauthor of An RCIA Program and Marian Consecration with Aquinas. He contributes to the podcasts Godsplaining and Pints with Aquinas. Currently, he is assigned as a doctoral student in dogmatic theology at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland.
No, this isn’t your grandmother’s definition of prudence. This virtue actually inspires practical wisdom, allowing us to choose well and to bring order into our lives. In Choose Confidently, Live Boldly, Fr. Gregory Pine, OP, aims to work prudence back into the conversation and to explain how it can transform us along our path toward what really matters.
In the face of fleeting emotions and conflicting convictions, learn how prudence will help you find wholeness, happiness, and freedom.
About the Author
Fr. Gregory Pine, OP, is a Dominican friar of the Province of Saint Joseph. He is coauthor of An RCIA Program and Marian Consecration with Aquinas. He contributes to the podcasts Godsplaining and Pints with Aquinas. Currently, he is assigned as a doctoral student in dogmatic theology at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland.
161 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 7, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
March 30, 2022
4/5 stars
"All at once, prudence helps mine the past, build the present, and secure the future. It weighs past experience, draws from the wisdom of others, perfects our instincts, refines our judgments, disciplines our thinking, looks down the road, anticipates the unforeseen, and improvises when necessary. Prudence is the virtue that perfects practical reason in all of its ins and outs. It's an excellence for the way, suiting us beautifully to a life on the way."
I heard Fr. Pine speak about his book on a podcast recently and I decided to try it out on my Kindle since the paperback version is not available yet (at the time of my writing this). This book serves as kind of a crash-course in virtue ethics, with a focus on the virtue of prudence. I appreciated the way Fr. Pine structured the book, leading the reader through stages of understanding. He also made a lot of important distinctions along the way--for example, between conscience and prudence. One section I liked a lot talked about how prudence has an element of boldness to it. A person growing in prudence is not always going to get it right from the very beginning, and one must take risks in order to grow and learn. Fr. Pine also had a great section on the sacrament of Confession and how it allows us to grow in prudence. I think I may revisit this book in the future to get a better understanding of it all.
"All at once, prudence helps mine the past, build the present, and secure the future. It weighs past experience, draws from the wisdom of others, perfects our instincts, refines our judgments, disciplines our thinking, looks down the road, anticipates the unforeseen, and improvises when necessary. Prudence is the virtue that perfects practical reason in all of its ins and outs. It's an excellence for the way, suiting us beautifully to a life on the way."
I heard Fr. Pine speak about his book on a podcast recently and I decided to try it out on my Kindle since the paperback version is not available yet (at the time of my writing this). This book serves as kind of a crash-course in virtue ethics, with a focus on the virtue of prudence. I appreciated the way Fr. Pine structured the book, leading the reader through stages of understanding. He also made a lot of important distinctions along the way--for example, between conscience and prudence. One section I liked a lot talked about how prudence has an element of boldness to it. A person growing in prudence is not always going to get it right from the very beginning, and one must take risks in order to grow and learn. Fr. Pine also had a great section on the sacrament of Confession and how it allows us to grow in prudence. I think I may revisit this book in the future to get a better understanding of it all.
December 20, 2024
Highly recommend!! As someone who is chronically paralyzed in decision-making, I’ve found myself excited to make decisions because of this book. Fr. Gregory Pine is a wonderful teacher and has such a dexterity & sense of play with words, which makes it really fun to read anything he writes. Reading Prudence gave me a greater understanding of the virtue of prudence and illuminated the decision-making process. For me, the most powerful takeaway from Prudence is that freedom is a privilege, not a burden: I already have everything I need to live a life of virtue, to make choices that, with grace, bring me to sainthood. Fr. Pine also avoids a sense of exacting perfectionism, which one might expect from a book entitled “Prudence.” While perfection is the ultimate goal, Fr. Pine elegantly accounts for the weakness and the bewilderment of his readers.
Essentially, if you are someone who is at once determined towards sainthood and terrified of making choices, relieve yourself of that tension and read this book. You will surely find yourself empowered, challenged, and delighted.
Essentially, if you are someone who is at once determined towards sainthood and terrified of making choices, relieve yourself of that tension and read this book. You will surely find yourself empowered, challenged, and delighted.
June 28, 2025
Great book! Here are my top 5 quotes from the book!
“There’s no salvation to be had in spinning your wheels thinking about sins and vices. Salvation is only to be had in living your life.”
“God put you here and now, with this personal, familial, and societal history. He isn’t surprised that you were limited and that your reasoning is limited. Not only is that permissible, it’s intended. Your freedom is engaged by embracing it.”
“What you need to flourish is not to be discovered by going over, under, or around your present circumstances. Rather, it is to be found in willingly embracing them. Real life is not elsewhere. It is here and now.”
“Only your real life bears grace, not the life that might have been. There are all sorts of paths that lead to sanctity. Take yours.”
“God doesn’t ask us to be perfect yesterday. He asks us to try today.”
“There’s no salvation to be had in spinning your wheels thinking about sins and vices. Salvation is only to be had in living your life.”
“God put you here and now, with this personal, familial, and societal history. He isn’t surprised that you were limited and that your reasoning is limited. Not only is that permissible, it’s intended. Your freedom is engaged by embracing it.”
“What you need to flourish is not to be discovered by going over, under, or around your present circumstances. Rather, it is to be found in willingly embracing them. Real life is not elsewhere. It is here and now.”
“Only your real life bears grace, not the life that might have been. There are all sorts of paths that lead to sanctity. Take yours.”
“God doesn’t ask us to be perfect yesterday. He asks us to try today.”
August 12, 2024
Fr. Gregory Pine is straight heat 😮💨🤌🏻🔥
December 25, 2023
This book is GREAT. The first two chapters alone are just incredible… talk about setting the stage with a Catholic worldview. Whether you are trying to make a specific choice right now or just trying to live life a bit more intentionally, there is something in here for you.
June 7, 2023
prudential advice
I love the questions posed for each chapter, and how he ties it to prudence. When taken together, prudence leads to a life of flourishing.
I love the questions posed for each chapter, and how he ties it to prudence. When taken together, prudence leads to a life of flourishing.
March 25, 2025
I was going to give this book 3 stars but then I realized that some of the author's teachings were sticking with me and I was using them in conversations positively, which suggested to me that the book must be better then I was giving it credit for.
There were a few edifying pieces sprinkled throughout. The author defines the virtue of prudence sort of as the before, during, and after "engine" of all the author virtues.
Prudence keeps the τέλος (purpose or end result) in mind when acting in the present. Acting now while keeping the future "why" in mind.
I wish the author had gotten a little bit more practical in the area of decision-making. The book was somewhat philosophical. He had a chapter on decision making that was peeking my interest, but then the next chapter moved on.
Overall, it was a good read.
There were a few edifying pieces sprinkled throughout. The author defines the virtue of prudence sort of as the before, during, and after "engine" of all the author virtues.
Prudence keeps the τέλος (purpose or end result) in mind when acting in the present. Acting now while keeping the future "why" in mind.
I wish the author had gotten a little bit more practical in the area of decision-making. The book was somewhat philosophical. He had a chapter on decision making that was peeking my interest, but then the next chapter moved on.
Overall, it was a good read.
March 6, 2024
Will definitely return to this. Great wisdom
"God is not waiting for you to mess up. He is excited to see you and to cause you to live beautifully, truly, and well." (Pg 156)
"God is not waiting for you to mess up. He is excited to see you and to cause you to live beautifully, truly, and well." (Pg 156)
September 24, 2024
excellent and helpful to me
September 1, 2024
Every self-help book promises to be the last one you’ll ever need (or want). This one might actually be it! I cannot tell if it’s a self-help book per se because it isn’t mired down in cringe platitudes. It cuts to the important stuff quick and is super approachable. My only regret is listening on audio rather than reading a physical copy because it’s hard to return for reference without the text.
October 12, 2025
“If you are dedicated to living in truth and abiding in love, it’s practically guaranteed that you will upset other people.”
This book was a bit academic at times (Fr. Gregory is a Dominican after all), but it was really good!! I think chapters 6&7 were my favorites. I can confidently say this book has already and will continue to help me live an abundant life and focus on the action of prudence rather than just the discernment piece.
This book was a bit academic at times (Fr. Gregory is a Dominican after all), but it was really good!! I think chapters 6&7 were my favorites. I can confidently say this book has already and will continue to help me live an abundant life and focus on the action of prudence rather than just the discernment piece.
June 23, 2023
Not to be dramatic, but this is one of the best books I’ve ever read. Maybe it’s the timing with which it fell into my lap (while I am preparing for marriage and making many, many decisions), maybe it’s Fr. Gregory’s accessible, well-organized writing style, maybe it’s just the joy of God’s invitation to the virtuous life… but I think everyone should read this short, sweet book!
December 31, 2023
This book was recommended by a friend who has been helping my husband and me walk thru some difficult decisions. It certainly complemented my reading of searching for and maintaining peace. The author lays the groundwork for the first half of the book, with some logical proofs and also in placing prudence in its proper place among virtues. That was sometimes a bit tedious, but because of that strong foundation, the last two chapters were able to soar. This book has changed my understanding of prudence and what it means to live a moral life.
September 23, 2022
A fantastic little book. I had just finished reading Abandonment to Divine Providence and was going to be done with spiritual reading for a bit when I felt this intense urge to “read this now”. I was lost in despair over a sense of “how do I ever make the right choice in my life. Seems I’m just stuck with whatever shows up in front of me” after reading Abandonment. (Obviously, i don’t think that was the intended message).
This book broke my world open. Gave me a framework for *how* to actually choose well, taught me much that I have regretfully never learned about the virtues, and nodded to every moment of existential crisis I have experienced thus far in my life- humanized it and showed me there’s a way to freedom.
It reminded me that I get to be an active participant in the gift of the life God has given me. I devoured it in a day, and I know I’ll be revisiting it with regularity.
I think the book is intended to be accessible to most people; there were a couple moments that I was lost, but perhaps if I had moved through it a bit more slowly, that would have helped. The examples he gave were helpful in illustrating confusing points.
Lastly, the reflection questions at the end of each chapter were great.
Definitely recommend.
This book broke my world open. Gave me a framework for *how* to actually choose well, taught me much that I have regretfully never learned about the virtues, and nodded to every moment of existential crisis I have experienced thus far in my life- humanized it and showed me there’s a way to freedom.
It reminded me that I get to be an active participant in the gift of the life God has given me. I devoured it in a day, and I know I’ll be revisiting it with regularity.
I think the book is intended to be accessible to most people; there were a couple moments that I was lost, but perhaps if I had moved through it a bit more slowly, that would have helped. The examples he gave were helpful in illustrating confusing points.
Lastly, the reflection questions at the end of each chapter were great.
Definitely recommend.
April 12, 2023
Such an insightful read about the one thing we do millions of times a day. Make choices! Fr. Gregory Pine steps you through on what exactly transpires when you make a choice and how that choice brings about a freedom that both embraces your limitations and yet sets free your fears to engage the world. When our intent is interwined with who we want to be, we must not falter and let small hiccups compromise it. Our desire for justice, temperance, courage are just that. Desires. Prudence is what we need to satiate our desires with the guidance of our intellect. Prudence allows us to live confidently and boldly, because it teaches us that there is never really a right or wrong, but always a journey towards betterment.
In the pursuit of happiness, we must understand that we are able, what it means to be virtuous, prudent, whole, bold, certain, and confident. Fr. Gregory Pine gives you a wholistic understanding of how we ought to move about our lives, even if it means a bit of pretending. After all, we were made to act. Not toil in indeciveness. Great read.
In the pursuit of happiness, we must understand that we are able, what it means to be virtuous, prudent, whole, bold, certain, and confident. Fr. Gregory Pine gives you a wholistic understanding of how we ought to move about our lives, even if it means a bit of pretending. After all, we were made to act. Not toil in indeciveness. Great read.
April 19, 2024
A bit of a tough read…I really struggled to stay focused. it did have gems that jumped out at me like these:
“Without temperance, we can be easily undone by simple emotional responses. You open a bag of Chex Muddy Buddies and are soon surprised to find there are none left and that you’re covered with powdered sugar.”
“The natural law gives us an habitual “sense” for the law of God inscribed in us at creation.”
“The point of the moral life isn’t just to avoid sin. Were that so, the goal might as well be to die shortly after baptism. No, the point is to do good—to know, love, and serve the Lord, to undertake big, bold, and magnanimous things. Prudence sees to it that we respond to God’s call and aim for genuine greatness.”
“Without temperance, we can be easily undone by simple emotional responses. You open a bag of Chex Muddy Buddies and are soon surprised to find there are none left and that you’re covered with powdered sugar.”
“The natural law gives us an habitual “sense” for the law of God inscribed in us at creation.”
“The point of the moral life isn’t just to avoid sin. Were that so, the goal might as well be to die shortly after baptism. No, the point is to do good—to know, love, and serve the Lord, to undertake big, bold, and magnanimous things. Prudence sees to it that we respond to God’s call and aim for genuine greatness.”
September 15, 2025
Not read by the author ( which would have been a treat ). Father Pine helps us see the value of prudence and how to thrive with the life we are given. He gives many examples of life situations and how to apply prudence and live a virtuous life.
My thought is that is a good idea to sit down and actually think about your life and the end you want to achieve. He helps us see that our moral choices have greater value than our monetary choices. Building a life based on our character, not necessarily our accomplishments, is a life we can be proud of in our souls.
He also states that we may think we should be living a certain "type: of holy life, but we need to live the holy life that fits in our life. Ie mother, wife, accountant. Do the best you can in your situation.
My thought is that is a good idea to sit down and actually think about your life and the end you want to achieve. He helps us see that our moral choices have greater value than our monetary choices. Building a life based on our character, not necessarily our accomplishments, is a life we can be proud of in our souls.
He also states that we may think we should be living a certain "type: of holy life, but we need to live the holy life that fits in our life. Ie mother, wife, accountant. Do the best you can in your situation.
November 19, 2022
A great book on the virtue of Prudence that will help to enhance your understanding of the moral life, with lots of great passages to highlight and return to. It is motivational, good, true, and beautiful. A book that can be read again and again, and also a book that can be read as a group (with questions for reflection at the end of each chapter). In all, a book that helps you to choose confidently, and live boldly, as the sub-title proclaims. This is how God is calling you to lead your life with him.
September 6, 2024
As a Protestant there were multiple sections of the book that I found difficult to apply, and other sections that just felt slightly repetitive; however, I enjoyed this short book.
The core themes of identity in Christ being the foundation of our confidence in choices hit home, and I enjoyed the exposure to areas I don’t often think about being outside of a Roman Catholic lifestyle. I also enjoyed Fr. Gregory Pines helpful comments on friendship, and it being a primary vessels through which you exercise and develop healthy prudence.
The core themes of identity in Christ being the foundation of our confidence in choices hit home, and I enjoyed the exposure to areas I don’t often think about being outside of a Roman Catholic lifestyle. I also enjoyed Fr. Gregory Pines helpful comments on friendship, and it being a primary vessels through which you exercise and develop healthy prudence.
January 6, 2024
A delightful books that serves as both an excellent treatise on the virtue of prudence and as an introduction to virtue ethics in general. I’ve long loved the way Fr Gregory Pine talks and I’m happy to say that his writing maintains that whimsical specificity whereby you know exactly what he’s say and are charmed by the way he says it in addition to a whole host of relevant and memorable analogous examples.
Would be five stars if only there were a bibliography and footnotes!
Would be five stars if only there were a bibliography and footnotes!
March 11, 2024
Fr. Gregory Pine is an amazing soul and his advice should be weighted accordingly. A large part of this book aims to define prudence and how it works in our lives from a practical and theological sense. It’s neatly wrapped up with practical actionable advice as well as some reminders of our limitations. Ultimately this book is a must read for those that struggle with prudence (and every one else)!
October 29, 2025
Thoughtful take on the obstacles we face in our Christian call choosing between being and attaining happiness vs. doing/striving/achieving. Most of the book is a bit dry and has the feel of a primer or exploration of ethical philosophies. For one familiar with ethics, this may be more of a review or reminder. The book does take a useful turn at the end, but does not necessarily move the needle in terms of anything new and innovative.
January 1, 2023
This book is a great aid for becoming the saints we are made to be. I am inspired by Fr Gregory Pine OP's ability to distill and articulate so much of the great wisdom in the treasure chest of the Catholic Faith in a succinct way that is enjoyable to read and understandable to the contemporary reader without losing the depth of wisdom that has been refined throughout the preceding centuries.
July 15, 2024
This was a great book about the hinge of all virtues: prudence. Fr. Gregory makes a compelling case for being prudent in our decisions without falling into paralysis by analysis. It occasionally goes off on tangents, but I think that's more a reflection of the author's personality coming through on the page. Excellent book. "Prudent thoughts lead to prudent actions."
April 16, 2023
I highly recommend to anyone seeking to live the life of virtue or even just anyone who struggles to make decisions sometimes. Fr. Pine is both intellectual and approachable, and this book is well worth the time to read and reflect!!
March 4, 2024
This book is very accessible and concise. I highly recommend for those wishing to learn about the virtue of prudence, but also solid for the first couple of chapters which speak about the acquisition of virtue in general.
July 8, 2024
Absolutely fantastic read. Simplifies an often over-thought topic. Well-written and clear.
Would definitely recommend to anyone trying to discern their place in life.
One of the best "self-help" books I've ever read, hands down.
Would definitely recommend to anyone trying to discern their place in life.
One of the best "self-help" books I've ever read, hands down.
August 29, 2024
Fr. Pine provided basic working descriptions of the virtues and prudence working with them. There were some good general insights into the nature of prudence. Listening, I felt my mind was being renewed. Some parts were a little dry, but comprehensively it was worth it.
November 9, 2024
I feel like Fr. Gregory Pine writes the same way he talks, which I really enjoyed. It was easy to understand and he gave very good examples on how to be prudent. It was a quick read but packed with alot of wisdom nuggets.
June 20, 2025
The start and the middle were a little hard to hold my interest, but the end was fire. Very focused on the practical realities of making decisions with a spiritual orientation. A great perspective on a great attribute.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews