…when ye behold the order and regularity of countries,
cities, and villages, the attractive adornment, the delicacy of the blessings,
the suitability of implements, the ease of transportation and traveling, the
extension of knowledge of the facts of the world of nature, the great
inventions and gigantic undertakings and the fine and artistic discoveries, ye
shall say that civilization is the cause of happiness and the development of
the human world.
Yet again, when ye glance over the inventions of infernal
instruments of destruction, the creation of the forces of ruin, the discovery
of fiery means which cut at the root of life, it becomes plainly evident that
civilization is twin with savagery and a concomitant thereof, unless material
civilization be aided by divine guidance, merciful appearance, heavenly
thoughts, and become joined to the spiritual states, the perfections of the
kingdom (of God) and the divine bounties.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a Tablet, Star of
the West, vol. 6, no. 9, August 20, 1915)
