Consider the flowers of a garden: though differing in kind,
colour, form and shape, yet, inasmuch as they are refreshed by the waters of
one spring, revived by the breath of one wind, invigorated by the rays of one
sun, this diversity increaseth their charm, and addeth unto their beauty. Thus
when that unifying force, the penetrating influence of the Word of God, taketh
effect, the difference of customs, manners, habits, ideas, opinions and
dispositions embellisheth the world of humanity. This diversity, this
difference is like the naturally created dissimilarity and variety of the limbs
and organs of the human body, for each one contributeth to the beauty,
efficiency and perfection of the whole....
How unpleasing to the eye if all the flowers and plants, the
leaves and blossoms, the fruits, the branches and the trees of that garden were
all of the same shape and colour! Diversity of hues, form and shape, enricheth
and adorneth the garden, and heighteneth the effect thereof...
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (The Compilation of Compilations vol. I, Conservation of the Earth's Resources)
