Prudence gives misleading directions (10)
I believe the answer is:
discretion
'prudence' is the definition.
(I know that prudence can be written as discretion)
'misleading directions' is the wordplay.
'misleading' is an anagram indicator (I've seen this in other clues).
'directions' is an anagram of 'DISCRETION'.
'gives' is the link.
(Other definitions for discretion that I've seen before include "Tactful quality" , "Diplomacy" , "The better part of valour" , "Tact - prudence" , "Liberty to act at pleasure; prudence" .)