In this great dispensation,
art (or a profession) is identical with an act of
worship and this is a clear text of the Blessed Perfection. Therefore, extreme
effort should be made in art and this will not prevent the teaching of the
people in that region. Nay, rather, each should assist the other in art and
guidance. For instance, when the studying of art is with the intention of
obeying the command (of God) this study will certainly be done easily and great
progress will soon be made therein; and when others discover this fragrance of
spirituality in the action itself, this same will cause their awakening.
Likewise, managing art with propriety will become the means of sociability and
affinity; and sociability and affinity themselves tend to guide others (to the
Truth).
(‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’, vol. 2)
