""The Paths of the Prudent"" is a comedic play written by Joseph Smith Fletcher, first published in 1899. The story follows the lives of two young men, Jack and Tom, who are both in love with the same woman, Beatrice. However, Beatrice's father, Mr. Puddicombe, disapproves of both suitors and insists that she marry a wealthy but unscrupulous man named Mr. Kite. Determined to win Beatrice's heart, Jack and Tom devise a plan to outsmart Mr. Puddicombe...