The Blessed Perfection, Bahá'u'lláh, belonged to the
nobility of Persia. From earliest childhood He was distinguished among His
relatives and friends. They said, "This child has extraordinary
power." In wisdom, intelligence and as a source of new knowledge, He was
advanced beyond His age and superior to His surroundings. All who knew Him were
astonished at His precocity. It was usual for them to say, "Such a child
will not live," for it is commonly believed that precocious children do
not reach maturity. During the period of youth the Blessed Perfection did not
enter school. He was not willing to be taught. This fact is well established
among the Persians of Tihran. Nevertheless, He was capable of solving the
difficult problems of all who came to Him. In whatever meeting, scientific
assembly or theological discussion He was found, He became the authority of
explanation upon intricate and abstruse questions presented.
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (From a talk by ‘Abdu’l-Baha, 18 April
1912, New York; ‘The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by
'Abdu'l-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912’)
