All 17 Uses of
prudent
in
Gulliver's Travels
- I thought it the most prudent method to lie still, and my design was to continue so till night, when, my left hand being already loose, I could easily free myself: and as for the inhabitants, I had reason to believe I might be a match for the greatest army they could bring against me, if they were all of the same size with him that I saw.†
Chpt 1
- However, in my opinion, it was extremely prudent,†
Chpt 1 *
- I drew it out, and at his desire, as well as I could, expressed to him the use of it; and charging it only with powder, which, by the closeness of my pouch, happened to escape wetting in the sea (an inconvenience against which all prudent mariners take special care to provide,) I first cautioned the emperor not to be afraid, and then I let it off in the air.†
Chpt 1
- By which the reader may conceive an idea of the ingenuity of that people, as well as the prudent and exact economy of so great a prince.†
Chpt 1
- I leave to your prudence what measures you will take; and to avoid suspicion, I must immediately return in as private a manner as I came.†
Chpt 1
- He took me up in his right fore-foot and held me as a nurse does a child she is going to suckle, just as I have seen the same sort of creature do with a kitten in Europe; and when I offered to struggle he squeezed me so hard, that I thought it more prudent to submit.†
Chpt 2
- I mentioned the prudent management of our treasury; the valour and achievements of our forces, by sea and land.†
Chpt 2
- He multiplied his questions, and sifted me thoroughly upon every part of this head, proposing numberless inquiries and objections, which I think it not prudent or convenient to repeat.†
Chpt 2
- I answered, "that his excellency's prudence, quality, and fortune, had exempted him from those defects, which folly and beggary had produced in others."†
Chpt 3
- There was a most ingenious architect, who had contrived a new method for building houses, by beginning at the roof, and working downward to the foundation; which he justified to me, by the like practice of those two prudent insects, the bee and the spider.†
Chpt 3
- But I thought it more consistent with prudence and justice to pass the remainder of my days with my wife and family.†
Chpt 3
- After some further discourse, which I then conjectured might relate to me, the two friends took their leaves, with the same compliment of striking each other's hoof; and the gray made me signs that I should walk before him; wherein I thought it prudent to comply, till I could find a better director.†
Chpt 4
- The first is, by knowing how, with prudence, to dispose of a wife, a daughter, or a sister; the second, by betraying or undermining his predecessor; and the third is, by a furious zeal, in public assemblies, against the corruption's of the court.†
Chpt 4
- …disposition sufficiently deserved, could never have arrived at so high a degree if they had been aborigines, or else they would have long since been rooted out; that the inhabitants, taking a fancy to use the service of the Yahoos, had, very imprudently, neglected to cultivate the breed of asses, which are a comely animal, easily kept, more tame and orderly, without any offensive smell, strong enough for labour, although they yield to the other in agility of body, and if their braying…†
Chpt 4
- The Lilliputians, I think, are hardly worth the charge of a fleet and army to reduce them; and I question whether it might be prudent or safe to attempt the Brobdingnagians; or whether an English army would be much at their ease with the Flying Island over their heads.†
Chpt 4
- Their prudence, unanimity, unacquaintedness with fear, and their love of their country, would amply supply all defects in the military art.†
Chpt 4
- But, as to the formality of taking possession in my sovereign's name, it never came once into my thoughts; and if it had, yet, as my affairs then stood, I should perhaps, in point of prudence and self-preservation, have put it off to a better opportunity.†
Chpt 4
Definition:
-
(prudent) sensible and careful