The most important thing is to polish the mirrors of hearts
in order that they may become illumined and receptive of the divine light. One
heart may possess the capacity of the polished mirror; another, be covered and
obscured by the dust and dross of this world. Although the same Sun is shining
upon both, in the mirror which is polished, pure and sanctified you may behold
the Sun in all its fullness, glory and power, revealing its majesty and
effulgence; but in the mirror which is rusted and obscured there is no capacity
for reflection, although so far as the Sun itself is concerned it is shining
thereon and is neither lessened nor deprived. Therefore, our duty lies in
seeking to polish the mirrors of our hearts in order that we shall become
reflectors of that light and recipients of the divine bounties which may be
fully revealed through them.
(‘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’)
