Brotherly Love n. Affectionate goodwill and solidarity among people.
aka. Brotherhood and Brotherliness
"Brotherly love" transcends familial and social boundaries to encompass a universal love and compassion for all beings. It reflects the recognition of a shared divine essence or interconnectedness among individuals, emphasizing empathy, kindness, and altruism towards others as expressions of spiritual growth and enlightenment. This concept is often found in religious teachings and philosophical traditions, encouraging individuals to cultivate a sense of unity, harmony, and goodwill towards humanity, regardless of differences in beliefs, backgrounds, or circumstances. It reflects a deeper understanding of the interconnected nature of existence and the importance of fostering a sense of unity and compassion in both personal and collective spiritual journeys.
Brotherly Love is one of the Fruits of the Spirit which are the personal application of The Universal Laws.
"The good neighbour looks beyond the external accidents and discerns those inner qualities that make all men human and, therefore, brothers."
- Martin Luther King Jr.
"The universal brotherhood of man is our most precious possession."
- Mark Twain
In 18th-century London, coffeehouses kept "brotherly books" - informal ledgers where regulars wrote friendly notes, jokes, and small favors owed to one another. The practice became so common that some shops advertised themselves as places "where brotherly love is brewed as strong as the coffee," making it one of the earliest commercial slogans to use the phrase in a playful, social sense.
Brotherly love is a steady flame,
A quiet bond that asks no fame;
It lifts us up when days grow rough,
A simple thing that proves enough.