From the book
Centuries of Meditations
Thomas Traherne · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordPrecedent means an example or pattern available for imitation.
- In TraherneAfter considering David’s inward life of contemplation, Traherne turns to his outward dealings with others.
- In this editionThe 2026 note glosses example or pattern and identifies scriptural foundations for the catalogue.
- A place to beginDavid is an admirable precedent in outward conduct toward other people.
Meaning
Precedent means an example or pattern available for imitation. The emphasis here is exemplary conduct, rather than a binding legal ruling or merely something that happened earlier.
Use in the book
After considering David’s inward life of contemplation, Traherne turns to his outward dealings with others. David supplies a pattern in public praise, courageous testimony, fidelity to costly promises, care for enemies, and mercy toward the poor. The catalogue shows that a heavenly interior life must produce visible acts of gratitude and friendship toward God. Calling the psalmist a precedent makes his life available for present practice: readers are to perform analogous effects of love within their own power, rather than admire an exceptional figure at a safe historical distance.
Places to read
- III.93David is an admirable precedent in outward conduct toward other people.
In this edition
The 2026 note glosses example or pattern and identifies scriptural foundations for the catalogue. Traherne’s single word does not make every action in David’s biography an example to follow.
Source note
Primary text: III.93; historical gloss and scriptural identifications: 2026 edition note to III.93.