Brotherhood · Lexicon

From the book

Centuries of Meditations

Thomas Traherne · Diotimos Editions · 2026

Orientation

At a Glance

The wordBrotherhood is the relation of shared kinship, here extended into spiritual and universal human fellowship.
In TraherneTo be Christ's brother belongs among the soul's great dignities.
In this edition“Brotherhood” is a collective heading; Traherne explicitly includes “brothers and sisters.”
A place to beginBrotherhood with Christ is included among human spiritual dignities.

Meaning

Brotherhood is the relation of shared kinship, here extended into spiritual and universal human fellowship. The primary text includes both brotherhood with Christ and the mutual relation of people throughout the world.

Use in the book

To be Christ's brother belongs among the soul's great dignities. Its consequence is not an isolated superior status but a duty to recognize others as equally worthy of love. The house of Paradise is open because all people are brothers and sisters, including a stranger not previously seen. In IV.58 the reasoning becomes a severe test of material conduct: love of God cannot be separated from willingness to help the brother who represents Him. Spiritual kinship consequently takes form in hospitality and costly assistance. It does not wait for biological relation, familiar company, or evidence that the other person will repay the gift.

Places to read

II.50Brotherhood with Christ is included among human spiritual dignities.
IV.22Paradisal charity makes strangers brothers and sisters welcome in one’s house.
IV.58Love of a brother representing God demands practical help and potentially costly sacrifice.

In this edition

“Brotherhood” is a collective heading; Traherne explicitly includes “brothers and sisters.” The usage should not be narrowed to a male society or literal siblings.

Source note

Primary text: II.50, IV.22, IV.58. IV.22 provides the inclusive familial phrase and the practical example of hospitality.