Whatever is in the heart of man, melody moves and awakens.
If a heart full of good feelings and a pure voice are joined together, a great
effect is produced. For instance: if there be love in the heart, through
melody, it will increase until its intensity can scarcely be borne; but if bad
thoughts are in the heart, such as hatred, it will increase and multiply. For
instance: the music used in war awakens the desire for bloodshed. The meaning
is that melody causes whatever feeling is in the heart to increase.
- 'Abdu'l-Bahá (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha to Mrs. Mary L. Lucas, quoted in "A
Brief Account of My Visit to Acca" [Chicago: Bahá'í Publishing Society,
1905]; The Compilation of Compilations vol II, Music)