Man is in the ultimate degree of materiality and the
beginning of spirituality; that is, he is at the end of imperfection and the
beginning of perfection. He is at the furthermost degree of darkness and the
beginning of the light. That is why the station of man is said to be the end of
night and the beginning of day, meaning that he encompasses all the degrees of
imperfection and that he potentially possesses all the degrees of perfection.
He has both an animal side and an angelic side, and the role of the educator is
to so train human souls that the angelic side may overcome the animal. Thus,
should the divine powers, which are identical with perfection, overcome in man
the satanic powers, which are absolute imperfection, he becomes the noblest of
all creatures, but should the converse take place, he becomes the vilest of all
beings. That is why he is the end of imperfection and the beginning of
perfection.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Table talks in Akka, authenticated by ‘Abdu’l-Baha;
‘Some Answered Questions’ – 2014 revised translation by the Baha’i World
Center)
