Consider the flowers of a garden. Though differing in kind,
color, form, and shape, yet, inasmuch as they are refreshed by the waters of
one spring, revived by the breath of one wind, invigorated by the rays of one
sun, this diversity increaseth their charm, and addeth unto their beauty. How
unpleasing to the eye if all the flowers and plants, the leaves and blossoms,
the fruits, the branches and the trees of that garden were all of the same
shape and color! Diversity of hues, form and shape, enricheth and adorneth the
garden, and heighteneth the effect thereof. In like manner, when divers shades
of thought, temperament and character, are brought together under the power and
influence of one central agency, the beauty and glory of human perfection will
be revealed and made manifest. Naught but the celestial potency of the Word of
God, which ruleth and transcendeth the realities of all things, is capable of
harmonizing the divergent thoughts, sentiments, ideas, and convictions of the
children of men.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Tablets of the Divine Plan’)
