O people of Persia! The heart is a divine trust; cleanse it
from the stain of self-love, adorn it with the coronal of pure intent, until
the sacred honor, the abiding greatness of this illustrious nation may shine
out like the true morning in an auspicious heaven. This handful of days on
earth will slip away like shadows and be over. Strive then that God may shed
His grace upon you, that you may leave a favorable remembrance in the hearts
and on the lips of those to come. “And grant that I be spoken of with honor by
posterity.” [Qur’án 26:84]
Happy the soul that shall forget his own good, and like the
chosen ones of God, vie with his fellows in service to the good of all; until,
strengthened by the blessings and perpetual confirmations of God, he shall be
empowered to raise this mighty nation up to its ancient pinnacles of glory, and
restore this withered land to sweet new life, and as a spiritual springtime,
array those trees which are the lives of men with the fresh leaves, the
blossoms and fruits of consecrated joy. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘The Secret of Divine
Civilization’)
