God has given us eyes, that we may look about us at the
world, and lay hold of whatsoever will further civilization and the arts of
living. He has given us ears, that we may hear and profit by the wisdom of
scholars and philosophers and arise to promote and practice it. Senses and
faculties have been bestowed upon us, to be devoted to the service of the
general good; so that we, distinguished above all other forms of life for
perceptiveness and reason, should labor at all times and along all lines,
whether the occasion be great or small, ordinary or extraordinary, until all
mankind are safely gathered into the impregnable stronghold of knowledge. We
should continually be establishing new bases for human happiness and creating
and promoting new instrumentalities toward this end. How excellent, how
honorable is man if he arises to fulfil his responsibilities …
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘The Secret of Divine Civilization’)
