Today the greatest need of the world of humanity is discontinuance of the
existing misunderstandings among nations. This can be accomplished through the
unity of language. Unless the unity of languages is realized, the Most Great
Peace and the oneness of the human world cannot be effectively organized and
established because the function of language is to portray the mysteries and
secrets of human hearts. The heart is like a box, and language is the key.
Only by using the key can we open the box and observe the gems it contains.
Therefore, the question of an auxiliary international tongue has the utmost
importance…. It is my hope that it may be perfected through the bounties of
God and that intelligent men may be selected from the various countries of the
world to organize an international congress whose chief aim will be the
promotion of this universal medium of speech.
(“The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by
‘Abdu’l-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in
1912”, pp. 60–61) [29]