Diotimos Library · Journals, Notebooks & Fragments Collection · English Edition
Centuries of Meditations
Annotated Edition · With an Introduction, Notes and an Outline.
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English Edition · Branch 451 of 454
Textual Notes · Part 9
Centuries of Meditations
p. 451IV.92. for all His benefits? for for all Thy benefits?. Dobell’s misreading of the manuscript.
IV.92. till this [is] experienced. for till this is experienced.. Not in the manuscript; supplied by Dobell for the sense and bracketed here.
IV.93. to sanctify His name, and do those things for to sanctify His name, to do those things. Dobell’s misreading of the manuscript.
IV.94. Having once studied those principles for Having once studied these principles. Dobell’s misreading of the manuscript. The reading is probable rather than certain.
IV.94. You are to warm yourself at these fires for You are to warm yourselves at these fires. Dobell’s misreading of the manuscript.
IV.94. When you think not of those things for When you think not of these things. Dobell’s misreading of the manuscript. The reading is probable rather than certain.
IV.97. may be used innumerable ways for its benefit for may be used in innumerable ways for its benefit. Dobell regularises Traherne’s wording; the manuscript’s is restored.
IV.97. through God that strengtheneth her for through God that strengthened her. Dobell’s misreading of the manuscript.
IV.98. So that if there be any defect in His power for So if there be any defect in His power. Omitted by Dobell; the words are in the manuscript.
IV.98. And truly I think it piety to believe for And truly I think it pious to believe. Dobell’s misreading of the manuscript. The reading is probable rather than certain.
IV.99. and that all objects in His omnipresence are for and that all objects in the omnipresence are. Dobell’s misreading of the manuscript.
V.2. and the grandeur of our souls, it is more our treasure for and the grandeur of our soul, it is more our treasure. Dobell’s misreading of the manuscript. The reading is probable rather than certain.
V.2. It is impossible not to [be] within it for It is impossible not to be within it. Not in the manuscript; supplied by Dobell for the sense and bracketed here.
V.5. and in all those views his own possessions. for and in all these views his own possessions.. Dobell’s misreading of the manuscript. The reading is probable rather than certain.
V.9. His omnipresence is an ample territory for His omnipresence is our ample territory. Dobell’s misreading of the manuscript.
Socrates
Reading Centuries of Meditations · Textual Notes · Textual Notes · Part 9
Ask about a concept, passage, contradiction, or connection.
Socrates will begin with this book and its sources.About This Reading Edition
Thomas Traherne’s Centuries explore felicity, childhood vision, love, and the soul’s capacity to enjoy the world. This annotated English edition presents all 410 meditations across five Centuries, with an introduction, explanatory notes, an outline, and textual apparatus.
Historical Text
The Centuries survive in Traherne’s manuscript and were first published by Bertram Dobell in London in 1908. The supplied edition follows the corrected Dobell text, with manuscript readings documented in its Note on the Text and Textual Notes. The four complete Centuries contain one hundred meditations each; the unfinished Fifth contains ten.
About This Edition
Diotimos Editions prepared the introduction, explanatory notes, glossary, reading guide, outline, and textual apparatus for this English original. Century and meditation numbers preserve the work’s structure, while verse line breaks, italics, and struck-through manuscript cancellations remain visible. Notes accompany their passages in the reader and Book Mode.
Rights
Thomas Traherne’s historical text and Bertram Dobell’s 1908 printing are in the public domain. The introduction, notes, and apparatus are © 2026 Diotimos Editions. Historical printing and transcription links identify the edition’s copy-text; manuscript corrections and unresolved readings are documented in the supplied editorial apparatus.