Prudence means practical common sense,
taking the trouble to think out what you are doing and what is likely to come of it.
* Be likely to~ ; used to express a probable action:
Nowadays most people hardly think of Prudence /as one of the ‘virtues’.
In fact, because Christ said () we could only get /into His world /by being like children,
many Christians have the idea //that, provided () you are ‘good’, it does not matter being a fool.
But that is a misunderstanding.
* provided (that)~ : 1. if, or only if:
In the first place, most children show plenty of ‘prudence’ /about doing the things ()they are really interested in,
and think them out /quite sensibly.
In the second place, as St Paul points out, Christ never meant that we were to remain children in intelligence:
on the contrary.
He told us to be not only ‘as harmless as doves’, but also ‘as wise as serpents’.
He wants a child’s heart, but a grown-up’s head.
He wants us to be simple, single-minded, affectionate, and teachable, as good children are;
but He also wants every bit of intelligence () we have to be alert at its job, and in first-class fighting trim.
[The fact //that you are giving money to a charity] does not mean that you need not try [to find out whether that charity is a fraud or not].
{The fact //that [what you are thinking about] is God Himself} (for example, when you are praying) does not mean that you can be content with the same babyish ideas //which you had /when you were a five-year-old.
It is, of course, quite true that God will not love you /any the less,
or have less use for you, if you happen to have been born with a very second-rate brain.
He has room for people with very little sense,
but He wants every one [to use what sense they have].
From Mere Christianity
Compiled in A Year with C.S. Lewis