If the health and well-being of the body be expended in the
path of the Kingdom, this is very acceptable and praiseworthy; and if it is
expended to the benefit of the human world in general—even though it be to
their material (or bodily) benefit and be a means of doing good—that is also
acceptable. But if the health and welfare of man be spent in sensual desires,
in a life on the animal plane, and in devilish pursuits—then disease is better
than such health; nay, death itself is preferable to such a life. If thou art
desirous of health, wish thou health for serving the Kingdom. I hope thou
mayest attain a perfect insight, an inflexible resolution, a complete health
and spiritual and physical strength in order that thou mayest drink from the
fountain of eternal life and be assisted by the spirit of divine confirmation.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, vol. 1)
