When, through the
Divine bestowals, three things appear on earth, this world of dust will come
alive, and stand forth wondrously adorned and full of grace. These are first,
the fruitful winds of spring; second, the welling plenty of spring clouds; and
third, the heat of the bright sun. When, out of the endless bounty of God,
these three have been vouchsafed, then slowly, by His leave, dry trees and
branches turn fresh and green again, and array themselves with many kinds of
blossoms and fruits. It is the same when the pure intentions and the justice of
the ruler, the wisdom and consummate skill and statecraft of the governing
authorities, and the determination and unstinted efforts of the people, are all
combined; then day by day the effects of the advancement, of the far-reaching
reforms, of the pride and prosperity of government and people alike, will
become clearly manifest.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘The Secret of Divine Civilization’)
