Selection from SDC

SDC Quotes by Abdu'l-Baha

Thanks to Ed for this selection from Abdu'l-Baha's masterpiece of development literature, The Secret of Divine Civilization, which, he said, my recent writing about reform calls to mind. Indeed it does.

It is unquestionable that the object in establishing parliaments is to bring about justice and righteousness, but everything hinges on the efforts of the elected representatives. If their intention is sincere, desirable results and unforeseen improvements will be forthcoming; if not, it is certain that the whole thing will be meaningless, the country will come to a standstill and public affairs will continuously deteriorate.

`I see a thousand builders unequal to one subverter; what then of the one builder who is followed by a thousand subverters?'

The purpose of the foregoing statements is to demonstrate at least this, that the happiness and greatness, the rank and station, the pleasure and peace, of an individual have never consisted in his personal wealth, but rather in his excellent character, his high resolve, the breadth of his learning, and his ability to solve difficult problems. How well has it been said: "On my back is a garment which, were it sold for a penny, that penny would be worth far more; yet within the garment is a soul which, if you weighed it against all the souls in the world, would prove greater and nobler."  (Abdu'l-Baha, The Secret of Divine Civilization, pp. 23-24)

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For every thing, however, God has created a sign and symbol, and established standards and tests by which it may be known. The spiritually learned must be characterized by both inward and outward perfections; they must possess a good character, an enlightened nature, a pure intent, as well as intellectual power, brilliance and discernment, intuition, discretion and foresight, temperance, reverence, and a heartfelt fear of God. For an unlit candle, however great in diameter and tall, is no better than a barren palm tree or a pile of dead wood.

"The flower-faced may sulk or play the flirt,

The cruel fair may bridle and coquet;

But coyness in the ugly is ill-met,

And pain in a blind eye's a double hurt."

- Rumi, The Mathnavi, I, 1906-1907.]

  (Abdu'l-Baha, The Secret of Divine Civilization, pp. 33-34)

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 "the happiness and greatness, the rank and station, the pleasure and peace, of an individual have never consisted in his personal wealth, but rather in his excellent character, his high resolve, the breadth of his learning, and his ability to solve difficult problems. How well has it been said:

 "On my back is a garment which, were it sold for a penny, that penny would be worth far more; yet within the garment is a soul which, if you weighed it against all the souls in the world, would prove greater and nobler."

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The apparatus of conflict will, as preparations go on at their present rate, reach the point where war will become something intolerable to mankind.