At one time the population
of Persia exceeded fifty millions. This has been dissipated partly through
civil wars, but predominantly because of the lack of an adequate system of
government and the despotism and unbridled authority of provincial and local
governors. With the passage of time, not one-fifth of the population has
survived, for the governors would select any victim they cared to, however
innocent, and vent their wrath on him and destroy him. Or, for a whim, they
would make a pet out of some proven mass murderer. Not a soul could speak out,
because the governor was in absolute control. Can we say that these things were
in conformity with justice or with the laws of God?
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘The Secret
of Divine Civilization’)
