In this material world, man is subject to the force of
instinctual desires, of which sin is the inevitable consequence, for these
desires are not bound by the laws of justice and righteousness. The body of man
is a prisoner of nature and will act in accordance with whatsoever nature dictates.
It follows that sins—such as wrathfulness, envy, contentiousness, greed,
avarice, ignorance, rancour, corruption, pride, and cruelty—must exist in the
material world. All these bestial attributes exist in the nature of man. A man
who has been deprived of spiritual education is even as an animal… Thus it
becomes evident that the material world of man is a world of sin, and that on
this plane man is indistinguishable from the animal. - ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Table talks
in Akka, authenticated by ‘Abdu’l-Baha; ‘Some Answered Questions’ – 2014
revised translation by the Baha’i World Centre)
