…education is of three kinds: material, human, and
spiritual. Material education aims at the growth and development of the body,
and consists in securing its sustenance and obtaining the means of its ease and
comfort. This education is common to both man and animal.
Human education, however, consists in civilization and
progress, that is, sound governance, social order, human welfare, commerce and
industry, arts and sciences, momentous discoveries, and great undertakings,
which are the central features distinguishing man from the animal.
As to divine education, it is the education of the Kingdom
and consists in acquiring divine perfections. This is indeed true education,
for by its virtue man becomes the focal centre of divine blessings and the
embodiment of the verse “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness.”[Gen. 1:26.]
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Table talks
in Akka, authenticated by ‘Abdu’l-Baha; ‘Some Answered Questions’ – 2014
revised translation by the Baha’i World Centre)
