Today the world of humanity is in need of international
unity and conciliation. To establish these great fundamental principles a
propelling power is needed. It is self-evident that the unity of the human
world and the Most Great Peace cannot be accomplished through material means.
They cannot be established through political power, for the political interests
of nations are various and the policies of peoples are divergent and
conflicting. They cannot be founded through racial or patriotic power, for
these are human powers, selfish and weak. The very nature of racial differences
and patriotic prejudices prevents the realization of this unity and agreement.
Therefore, it is evidenced that the promotion of the oneness of the kingdom of
humanity, which is the essence of the teachings of all the Manifestations of
God, is impossible except through the divine power and breaths of the Holy
Spirit. Other powers are too weak and are incapable of accomplishing this.
For man two wings are necessary. One wing is physical power
and material civilization; the other is spiritual power and divine
civilization. With one wing only, flight is impossible. Two wings are
essential. Therefore, no matter how much material civilization advances, it
cannot attain to perfection except through the uplift of spiritual
civilization.
(‘Abdu’l-Baha, from a talk, New York, 14 April 1912; ‘The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks
Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in
1912’)