Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P.: Prudence Helps Us to Live with Certainty

Human certainty comes from what we can really know, but in practical matters there are a lot of unknowns. Real certainty is found within those limits, within the terms set for us by our actual lives. When it comes to limits, we first have to be reconciled to the inscrutability of human affairs. In a given situation, there are any number of ways that you can legitimately act. And with each of these ways, there are potential consequences, both good and bad. Once you begin to entertain all of these consequences, the prospect of making a decision may become overwhelming.

For instance, let’s say that a friend recently hosted you for the weekend while you were in town for business. You are grateful and want to communicate that. You could buy her a little house plant, for instance, or give her a gift certificate to a local restaurant.  …

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