by Joan Kuper

Created on: August 28, 2011

Interpreting the phrase literally, of course all would say blood is thicker than water. We know from our chemistry lessons that water has lower viscosity than blood.  However, this phrase is also an old German proverb meaning most people feel closer to a relative than a non relative. It follows most would then feel more of an obligation and therefore will do more, for a relative than they would for a non relative.  The saying  “blood is thicker than water” (originally in German ‘Blut ist dicker als Wasser’) is very common in many countries.  Still this does not mean we should not also be as charitable as we are able, to the entire human population.

 Of course there are individual exceptions, but for the most part there is an automatic closeness with blood relatives that we can’t quite explain.  One theory is it could be a result of our genetic or DNA memory. Studies show 99.9% of everyone’s DNA is the same; however, there is enough DNA to differentiate people.  Paternity tests can give us fairly accurate information to identify biological parents. People whose ancestors grew up in the same country generation after generation, often feel close to each other.

There are cases where friends may seem to be as close as, or closer than relatives. We might even consider and refer to a close friend as being ‘like a sister or brother.’ Perhaps we should pay a little more attention to the entire human population and remind ourselves we are all a member of the entire family of man.

 There are various international organizations to help victims throughout the world. Among them are Samaritan’s Purse, United Methodist Committee on Relief, World Vision and many others. Within every country there are organizations such as those in the US like the Salvation Army and Catholic Charities and others.  The point is these charities are supported by the public because most feel compassion for their fellow man and want to help those less fortunate, especially during times of disasters. In fact when many prosper, they  feel a moral obligation to help others.  They feel a need to ‘give back’ and the emotional rewards from helping others is priceless.

 Still the need and responsibility felt  to help our own relatives is dominate over helping ‘strangers.’  We may all be a part of the great humanity of man, but still there is a closeness to relatives that is not often duplicated with non-relatives. Hopefully we can all be sensitive and compassionate with all our ‘brothers and sisters’ in the world, even as we retain a special bond with our relatives.  

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