Man has two powers;
and his development, two aspects. One power is connected with the material
world, and by it he is capable of material advancement. The other power is
spiritual, and through its development his inner, potential nature is awakened.
These powers are like two wings. Both must be developed, for flight is
impossible with one wing. Praise be to God! Material advancement has been
evident in the world, but there is need of spiritual advancement in like
proportion. We must strive unceasingly and without rest to accomplish the
development of the spiritual nature in man, and endeavor with tireless energy
to advance humanity toward the nobility of its true and intended station. For
the body of man is accidental; it is of no importance. The time of its disintegration
will inevitably come. But the spirit of man is essential and, therefore,
eternal. It is a divine bounty. It is the effulgence of the Sun of Reality and,
therefore, of greater importance than the physical body.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a
talk, 25 April, 1912, Washington, D.C.; ‘The Promulgation of Universal Peace:
Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and
Canada in 1912’)
