From the book
Centuries of Meditations
Thomas Traherne · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordKindness is a benevolent disposition expressed in benefits.
- In TraherneThe word is often encountered through David’s Psalms, which Traherne treats as models of actual enjoyment.
- In this editionThe frequent phrase loving kindness carries scriptural resonance.
- A place to beginGod’s loving kindness is invoked to transform inadequate love into service of others.
Meaning
Kindness is a benevolent disposition expressed in benefits. Loving kindness is especially the scriptural language of divine goodness toward creatures.
Use in the book
The word is often encountered through David’s Psalms, which Traherne treats as models of actual enjoyment. Divine kindness is something to be remembered, praised, and inwardly tasted, not merely listed among correct attributes. In III.76 it belongs to the abundance of God’s house and the river of pleasure from which the soul drinks.
The prayer in I.79 moves from received kindness to needed transformation. The speaker can perceive universal love but cannot yet regulate his own affection adequately. He asks to become a blessing through the use of blood, property, life, and time. Kindness consequently joins contemplation to costly service without pretending that recognition alone completes the work.
Places to read
In this edition
The frequent phrase loving kindness carries scriptural resonance. Its warmth should not obscure the concrete expenditure and service sought in I.79.