Observe the case when an individual is an eminent person in
his country, zealous, wise, pure-hearted, known for his innate capacity,
intelligence, natural perspicacity—and is also an important member of the
state: what, for such an individual, can be regarded as honor, abiding
happiness, rank and station, whether in the here or the hereafter? Is it a
diligent attention to truth and righteousness, is it dedication and resolve and
devotion to the good pleasure of God, is it the desire to attract the favorable
consideration of the ruler and to merit the approval of the people? Or would
it, rather, consist in this, that for the sake of indulging in feasts and
dissipations by night he should undermine his country and break the hearts of his
people by day, causing his God to reject him, and his sovereign to cast him out
and his people to defame him and hold him in deserved contempt? By God, the
mouldering bones in the graveyard are better than such as these! Of what value
are they, who have never tasted the heavenly food of truly human qualities, and
never drunk of the crystalline waters of those bounties which belong to the
realm of man?
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘The Secret of Divine Civilization’)
