From the book
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volumes I–II
Joseph Joubert · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Divine grace
grâce
Grâce in this witness is divine grace, distinguished by its divine possessors.
Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordGrâce in this witness is divine grace, distinguished by its divine possessors.
- In JoubertJoubert says the Augustinians seem to deny the grace of God from fear that the grace of Jesus Christ will receive insufficient acknowledgment.
- In this editionThe English translation uses grace twice, retains the different possessors and leaves the motive inside the tentative statement.
- A place to beginTwo formulations of grace are contrasted within a qualified criticism of Augustinians.
- English renderings
- grace
Meaning
Grâce in this witness is divine grace, distinguished by its divine possessors. It is not the elegance of an expression, garment or movement.
Use in the book
Joubert says the Augustinians seem to deny the grace of God from fear that the grace of Jesus Christ will receive insufficient acknowledgment. The repeated word makes the contrast internal to religious language. His formulation questions a tendency he perceives; it does not supply a doctrinal definition of either grace, establish an absolute denial, or prove what all Augustinians held. The sentence’s force depends on preserving both “seem” and “sufficiently.”
Places to read
- II, p. 813, entry 5, ¶1Two formulations of grace are contrasted within a qualified criticism of Augustinians.
Translation in this edition
The English translation uses grace twice, retains the different possessors and leaves the motive inside the tentative statement. This narrow theological witness should be read separately from the much more frequent aesthetic uses of grâce elsewhere in the notebooks.
Source note
Beaunier 1938, II, pp. 813. No external history of Augustinian theology is inferred from this single witness.
From the book
Centuries of Meditations
Thomas Traherne · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Grace
grace; favour; gracious aid; the estate of grace
Grace can mean freely bestowed favour or divine assistance, and in theological classification it names humanity’s restored condition through redemption.
Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordGrace can mean freely bestowed favour or divine assistance, and in theological classification it names humanity’s restored condition through redemption.
- In TraherneThe estate of grace has a definite place between misery and glory in the account of divinity.
- In this editionDo not force every occurrence into a single technical formula.
- A place to beginGrace is one of four human estates and includes the means of restored life.
Meaning
Grace can mean freely bestowed favour or divine assistance, and in theological classification it names humanity’s restored condition through redemption. The plural “graces” may also denote admirable spiritual qualities.
Use in the book
The estate of grace has a definite place between misery and glory in the account of divinity. It includes covenant, faith, repentance, sacraments, Scripture, and the Church, not merely a private experience of relief. Grace also enables a new form of love: the soul can love a sinner who offers no prior claim of merit or attractiveness. The discussion of intention and the Spirit adds another dimension, identifying further divine assistance as new and superadded mercy. Human effort and grateful response are therefore placed within an already generous provision.
Places to read
- III.43Grace is one of four human estates and includes the means of restored life.
- IV.87The estate of grace enables freely given love toward undeserving persons.
- IV.88The giving of the Holy Spirit is described as further mercy beyond earlier gifts.
- IV.35Wisdom and grace are needed to enjoy treasures without abuse.
In this edition
Do not force every occurrence into a single technical formula. Distinguish favour, assistance, spiritual qualities, and the named historical-theological estate according to the passage.