…when thou lookest at the orderly pattern of kingdoms, cities
and villages, with the attractiveness of their adornments, the freshness of
their natural resources, the refinement of their appliances, the ease of their
means of travel, the extent of knowledge available about the world of nature,
the great inventions, the colossal enterprises, the noble discoveries and
scientific researches, thou wouldst conclude that civilization conduceth to the
happiness and the progress of the human world. Yet shouldst thou turn thine eye
to the discovery of destructive and infernal machines, to the development of
forces of demolition and the invention of fiery implements, which uproot the
tree of life, it would become evident and manifest unto thee that civilization
is conjoined with barbarism. Progress and barbarism go hand in hand, unless
material civilization be confirmed by Divine Guidance, by the revelations of
the All-Merciful and by godly virtues, and be reinforced by spiritual conduct,
by the ideals of the Kingdom and by the outpourings of the Realm of Might....
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’; The Compilation
of Compilations, vol. I, Conservation of the Earth's Resources)
