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20110314 認識至聖者就是睿智 The knowledge of the holy is prudence

我們剛踏入四旬期 –––––– 悔改與更新的時刻。今天,讓我們談談「智德」。「智德」使我們在諸事上能作出正確及合宜的決定,且誘發和導向其它行為之德。

「智德」包含: 成熟的思考、明智的抉擇、和正確的實行。

思考

成熟的思考,來自個人的深思熟慮和明察善斷的磋商。

深思熟慮包含過去、現在和將來。我們要深思過去: 從歷史上學習先人們成功與失敗的經歷;學習聖人們的行實,能從中領略更多的智慧。我們也應回顧自己個人的經驗。

要考慮目前實際的情況,明智地將以往的經驗引申到現在。

我們不得不推算將來引致的後果,要盡能力估計個人及他人因此受到的影響。

不過,我們天資仍是有限,也會犯錯,不能只靠個人的思考和能力,需要有勝任的智者輔導,提供意見,往往因此啟發我們不同角度的思維,提點我們忽略或錯誤之處。對重要的決定,定要設法與別人磋商,避免自作主張,以期達致明察善斷的效果。

最好轉向尋求指引的,莫過於向天主聖神祈禱,得祂的光照和帶領。

抉擇

對計劃深思熟慮後便要作出判斷,決定採取實行的適合方法。

判斷時要擯棄一己的私念和偏見,免自我矇閉;情緒波動時,切勿做判斷;判斷時特別要想到永生:「這樣對永生會有甚麼影響?」

我們一方面要避免作急躁和膚淺的抉擇;另一方面也要避免猶疑不決。要理性地探究、小心衡量、並作果斷的抉擇。

實行

把計劃付諸實行,需具前瞻、審慎和小心。

前瞻是指在實行前,琢磨在各方面所要付出的,與及存在或潛在的困難。

審慎是指要認清周圍環境,設法適應,辨別利弊,納優拒劣,避免步履維艱,最終失諸交臂。

小心是指要有充足的準備,以防意料不到的事情。超性上要儲備的方法,莫如祈禱、參與聖事、求教於神師。

非肉慾性的

對峙智德的,是利用才智追求肉慾:例如快感、名利等,那只會引入死胡同。

福音勸喻基督徒智德的規範,與世俗格格不入:瑪竇福音記載「你們先該尋求天主的國和它的義德(6:33)」、「所以你們要機警如同蛇,純樸如同鴿子(10:16)」,馬爾谷福音亦記載「你們要當心、要醒寤(13:33)」。

要修得智德,當照基督教訓,單純真誠,別玩弄手段,故做驕柔。

We have just entered the Season of Lent. This is a time for repentance and renewal, and we are exploring the moral virtues in this column. This week we are looking at the virtue of prudence.

Prudence is the moral virtue which enables us to decide what is right and proper to do in particular cases. This virtue directs and counsels other moral virtues.

The constituent elements of prudence are: mature deliberation, wise choice, and right execution.

Deliberation

Mature deliberation requires personal reflection and wise consultation. In our personal reflection we must consider the past, the present, and the future.

Regarding the past, it is wise to study history and learn from past successes and mistakes. Much wisdom can be gained by studying the lives of the saints. It is also good to recall personal experiences.

We should take into account the present conditions, which can be quite different from the past, and apply past experiences to present issues intelligently.

We must look into the future, and do our best to foresee as far as possible the consequences of our actions to ourselves and to others.

Since our intellect is limited and is subject to error, we should not rely on personal reflection only, but should seek counsel from wise and competent people, who often open our eyes and reveal to us a side of things we have forgotten or overlooked. We should not make important decision without consultation.

Let us never forget that the best of counsellors is the Holy Spirit. We should seek light and guidance through prayer.

Choice

After deliberation comes judgment. We have to determine the most suitable means to execute the plan.

In making judgment we must strive to rid ourselves of prejudice and passion, which can easily cloud the mind. Whenever possible we should avoid making decisions while we are angry or in distress. We must strive to make judgment in light of eternity and ask ourselves: “What does this matter for eternity?”

We must avoid both haste and hesitation. We should avoid making judgments hastefully and superficially, but should probe into the reasons and weigh them carefully. On the other hand, we should avoid excessive hesitation, but should decide resolutely.

Execution

The execution of the plan adopted requires foresight, discretion, and caution.

Foresight means to count in advance the effort needed to achieve our goal, and the difficulties to be surmounted.

Discretion means opening our eyes to survey the circumstances in order to adapt to them. We should study events in order to profit from favourable ones and to prevent the consequences of unfavourable ones.

Caution means storing up reserves and surrounding ourselves with safeguards. We need to be cautious, because even though we do our best to foresee the future, there are always unforeseen circumstances. In the spiritual life, our reserves are: the sacraments, prayer, and the advice of our spiritual director.

Not of the flesh

The counterfeit of the virtue of prudence is “prudence of the flesh,” which makes one skilful in discovering the means to attain a bad end, such as the inordinate seeking of pleasure, wealth, or fame.

The rule of Christian prudence can be found in the following Gospel maxims, which are opposed to the maxims of the world:

“Watch and pray” (Mk 13:33).

“Set your hearts on His kingdom first, and on God’s saving justice” (Mt 6:33).

“Be cunning as snakes and yet innocent as doves” (Mt 10:16).

We should follow the teaching and example of Christ by combining prudence with simplicity and sincerity, which are the direct opposite of “playing politics” and craftiness.