decade – n. a period of ten years
prudence – n. careful good judgment that allows someone to avoid danger or risks
perils – n. something that is likely to cause injury, pain, harm or loss
prefer – v. to like (someone or something) better than someone or something else
counteract – v. act against (something); to cause (something) to have less of an effect or to have no effect at all
secular – adj. not religious