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Politic vs Prudence - What's the difference?

politic | prudence |

As an adjective politic

is political.

As a proper noun prudence is

, one of the puritan virtue names.

politic

English

Alternative forms

* politick (obsolete)

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • (archaic) Of or relating to polity, or civil government; political.
  • the body politic
  • * (rfdate) Sir (Philip Sidney)
  • He with his people made all but one politic body.
  • (archaic) Relating to, or promoting, a policy, especially a national policy; well-devised; adapted to its end, whether right or wrong; said of things.
  • a politic treaty
  • * (rfdate) Shakespeare
  • enrich'd with politic grave counsel
  • (archaic) Sagacious in promoting a policy; ingenious in devising and advancing a system of management; devoted to a scheme or system rather than to a principle; hence, in a good sense, wise; prudent; sagacious
  • * (rfdate) Shakespeare
  • Politic with my friend, smooth with mine enemy.
  • , prudent and expedient.
  • and diplomatic.
  • , crafty or cunning.
  • Antonyms

    * impolitic

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (archaic) A politician.
  • (Francis Bacon)
  • * Lowell
  • Swiftly the politic goes; is it dark? he borrows a lantern; / Slowly the statesman and sure, guiding his feet by the stars.
    ----

    prudence

    Noun

    (-)
  • The quality or state of being prudent; wisdom in the way of caution and provision; discretion; carefulness; hence, also, economy; frugality.
  • * 1876 , , Prose Quotations from Socrates to Macaulay , J.B. Lippincott, page 597,
  • Prudence is principally in reference to actions to be done, and due means, order, seasons, and method of doing or not doing. - .
    Prudence supposes the value of the end to be assumed, and refers only to the adaptation of the means. It is the relation of right means for given ends. - .

    Synonyms

    * wisdom, forecast, providence, considerateness, judiciousness, discretion, caution, circumspection, judgment * See also

    Antonyms

    * imprudence, recklessness, rashness