Man, as it were, takes the sword out of nature’s hand and
with it for his scepter of authority dominates nature itself. Nature is without
the crown of human faculties and attributes. Man possesses conscious
intelligence and reflection; nature does not. This is an established
fundamental among philosophers. Man is endowed with volition and memory; nature
has neither. Man can seek out the mysteries latent in nature, whereas nature is
not conscious of her own hidden phenomena. Man is progressive; nature is
stationary, without the power of progression or retrogression. Man is endowed
with ideal virtues—for example, intellection, volition, faith, confession and
acknowledgment of God—while nature is devoid of all these. The ideal faculties
of man, including the capacity for scientific acquisition, are beyond nature’s
ken. These are powers whereby man is differentiated and distinguished from all
other forms of life. This is the bestowal of divine idealism, the crown
adorning human heads. Notwithstanding the gift of this supernatural power, it
is most amazing that materialists still consider themselves within the bonds
and captivity of nature. The truth is that God has endowed man with virtues,
powers and ideal faculties of which nature is entirely bereft and by which man
is elevated, distinguished and superior. We must thank God for these bestowals,
for these powers He has given us, for this crown He has placed upon our heads.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a talk, 23 April 1912, Washington D.C.; ‘The Promulgation
of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá during His Visit to the
United States and Canada in 1912’)
