prudent

wise, sage, sapient, judicious, prudent, sensible, sane mean having or showing sound judgment. wise suggests great understanding of people and of situations and unusual discernment and judgment in dealing with them.

• • wise beyond his tender years

sage suggests wide experience, great learning, and wisdom.

• • the sage advice of my father

sapient suggests great sagacity and discernment.

• • the sapient musings of an old philosopher

judicious stresses a capacity for reaching wise decisions or just conclusions.

• • judicious parents using kindness and discipline in equal measure

prudent suggests the exercise of restraint guided by sound practical wisdom and discretion.

• • a prudent decision to wait out the storm

sensible applies to action guided and restrained by good sense and rationality.

• • a sensible woman who was not fooled by flattery

sane stresses mental soundness, rationality, and levelheadedness.

• • remained sane even in times of crises