…the honor and exaltation
of man must be something more than material riches. Material comforts are only
a branch, but the root of the exaltation of man is the good attributes and
virtues which are the adornments of his reality. These are the divine
appearances, the heavenly bounties, the sublime emotions, the love and
knowledge of God; universal wisdom, intellectual perception, scientific
discoveries, justice, equity, truthfulness, benevolence, natural courage and
innate fortitude; the respect for rights and the keeping of agreements and
covenants; rectitude in all circumstances; serving the truth under all
conditions; the sacrifice of one’s life for the good of all people; kindness
and esteem for all nations; obedience to the teachings of God; service in the
Divine Kingdom; the guidance of the people, and the education of
the nations and races. This is the prosperity of the human world! This is the
exaltation of man in the world! This is eternal life and heavenly honor!
These virtues do not appear
from the reality of man except through the power of God and the divine
teachings, for they need supernatural power for their manifestation. It may be
that in the world of nature a trace of these perfections may appear, but they
are unstable and ephemeral; they are like the rays of the sun upon the wall.
As the compassionate God has
placed such a wonderful crown upon the head of man, man should strive that its
brilliant jewels may become visible in the world.
(‘Abdu’l-Baha,
table talks in Akka, authenticated by ‘Abdu’l-Baha; ‘Some Answered Questions’)
