Both prudence and providence derive from provideo, providere (to see ahead). the former a contraction of the latter. Providence is often capitalized to render the sense of God's guiding hand or plan; prudence is used without religious connotation. This religious/secular relationship is again similar to that of piety and pity. As pity becomes pious when it is a reflection of God's grace, so prudence becomes Providential when man's practical wisdom takes into account divine purpose.