The Virtue of Prudence: A Kairos Man in a Chronos World
I have never been known as a punctual person. In fact, friends often joke that they need to give me an earlier start time for events so I’ll be on time. My wife actually does that – no joke. Part of my problem is a weakness in the virtue of prudence where it touches on personal management. I have come to realize that punctuality is part of respect and even love for others. I’m working hard to overcome this weakness in my character. But there’s another part of my personality that contributes my lack of punctuality that I’m not so quick to correct. A friend put it this way in a discussion of each other’s strengths, “Jeff, you are a kairos man living in a chronos world.”
Chronos: Living By the Clock
Kairos and chronos are both Greek words for time. Chronos is the word and the concept we’re most familiar with. We get our words “chronology” and “chronicle” and “chronic” from it. It means time as it unfolds in a linear, measurable way. Chronos is measured in seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, and years. In lived experience, chronos is the measure of time we are extremely aware of. It measures our activity and productivity. We tend to perceive it as a limited quantity. We only have so much time.
Kairos: Living In the Moment
In contrast, we are not as familiar with kairos in our modern world. It means time as it unfolds in the rhythm of eternity. It is measured in years, seasons, and epics. In lived experience, kairos referred to the opportune time for something to happen. Sacred Scripture refers to it as “in the fullness of time.” We often say “when the time is right.” Behind Kronos is the willingness to wait patiently for things to unfold as they should. We also experience kairos when we live in the moment, when we lose track of time with friends and loved ones, or when “time flies when you’re having fun.”
Some personalities thrive in chronos. My wife has a personality like that. She is a project planner. She manages our family, makes sure everyone gets where they need to go, and keeps us all more-or-less running our daily schedule on time. Other personalities thrive in kairos. That’s me. I work better off of a todo list than with a schedule. I’d rather lose track of time working on a single project or enjoying a single activity than work off of an agenda. “Slow down and smell the roses” or watch the clouds or look at the rainbow, or listen to the babbling brook could be a life motto for me.
The Virtue of Prudence Balances Chronos and Kairos
Chronos and kairos are both parts of human life. The transcendent goods – truth, goodness, and beauty – are obtained and enjoyed most effectively in kairos. If we live too strongly in chronos, we can become too obsessed with accomplishment and activity. Kairos also reminds us that we are primarily human beings, not human doings. If we live too strongly in kairos we can neglect our responsibilities and end up disrespecting others. Chronos helps us to live the practical dimension of life, kairos reminds us that effective use of time is better than efficient use of time. Prudence helps us to find the balance between chronos and kairos.
My wife and I balance each other well. She keeps me on time and makes sure I remember my responsibilities. I make sure that she takes time to relax and that she doesn’t get so lost in the details of daily life that she misses what is really important. In the same way, the virtue of prudence balances chronos and kairos in each of us. It governs chronos as we seek to “use our time” in the best possible way. It governs kairos as we seek higher goods of life. As creatures who are created in time, but created for eternity, we need this balance. So I will work to improve my management of chronos, but I will also continue to be a kairos man in a chronos world.
Your Next Action Step
Which side of the chronos-kairos scale do you fall on? Having a balanced concept of time is one of the keys to exercising the virtue of prudence in order to order your life around the things that matter most. If you identify more strongly with one concept of time, take some steps to strengthen the other in your daily life. Are you a chronos person? Try “wasting” some time with your family, horsing around, or enjoying the world around you. are you a kairos person like me? Set up some systems to make you more aware of time when you need to be somewhere, when you’re working, or when other people are dependent on your efficiency.
Balancing your concept of time is one of the first steps toward building a “lay rule of life” because it helps you to order your life around the higher priorities, and especially around God, without compromising your daily responsibilities. Would you like to learn more about building a “lay rule of life”? From the Abbey can help you learn your faith through our online courses, and to live your faith through our online spirituality program. Check out the opportunity below to take your next step toward a deeper, more meaningful spiritual life!
Brought to you by Jeffrey S. Arrowood at From the Abbey, dedicated to helping you rediscover the JOY of learning and living your faith so you can grow in intimacy with God.