7716. 'No man could see his brother' means that they could not perceive the truth of any good. This is clear from the meaning of 'seeing' as understanding and perceiving, dealt with in 2150, 2325, 2807, 3764, 3863, 4407-4421, 4567, 4723, 5400; from the meaning of 'man' as truth, dealt with in 3134; and from the meaning of 'brother' as good, dealt with in 2360, 3303, 3803, 3815, 4121, 5409, 5686, 5692, 6756, and a man linked to his brother as the good of truth, 3459. From these meanings it is evident that 'no man could see his brother' means that they could not perceive the truth of any good.

3303. 'And after this his brother came out' means truth. This is clear from the meaning of 'brother' as good, and also as truth, for the two are called brothers. Charity is the brother of faith, or good the brother of truth, see 367, so that conversely faith is the brother of charity, or truth the brother of good. Also within the natural, the affection for good is called a brother and the affection for truth a sister, 3160, as well as husband and wife (mulier), and man and wife (mulier). But these are always used with respect to the states that are being described.