Know thou that, according to what thy Lord, the Lord of all
men, hath decreed in His Book, the favors vouchsafed by Him unto mankind have
been, and will ever remain, limitless in their range. First and foremost among
these favors, which the Almighty hath conferred upon man, is the gift of
understanding. His purpose in conferring such a gift is none other except to
enable His creature to know and recognize the one true God—exalted be His
glory. This gift giveth man the power to discern the truth in all things,
leadeth him to that which is right, and helpeth him to discover the secrets of
creation. Next in rank, is the power of vision, the chief instrument whereby
his understanding can function. The senses of hearing, of the heart, and the
like, are similarly to be reckoned among the gifts with which the human body is
endowed. Immeasurably exalted is the Almighty Who hath created these powers,
and revealed them in the body of man.
- Baha’u’llah (‘Gleanings from the Writings of
Baha’u’llah’)
