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5: “All blessings are divine in origin, but none can be compared with this…” |
All blessings are divine in origin, but none can be compared with this
power of intellectual investigation and research, which is an eternal gift
producing fruits of unending delight. Man is ever partaking of these fruits.
All other blessings are temporary; this is an everlasting possession. Even
sovereignty has its limitations and overthrow; this is a kingship and dominion
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which none may usurp or destroy. Briefly, it is an eternal blessing and
divine bestowal, the supreme gift of God to man. Therefore, you should put
forward your most earnest efforts toward the acquisition of science and arts.
The greater your attainment, the higher your standard in the divine purpose.
The man of science is perceiving and endowed with vision, whereas he who
is ignorant and neglectful of this development is blind. The investigating
mind is attentive, alive; the callous and indifferent mind is deaf and dead.
A scientific man is a true index and representative of humanity, for through
processes of inductive reasoning and research he is informed of all that
appertains to humanity, its status, conditions and happenings. He studies
the human body politic, understands social problems and weaves the web and
texture of civilization. In fact, science may be likened to a mirror wherein
the infinite forms and images of existing things are revealed and reflected.
It is the very foundation of all individual and national development. Without
this basis of investigation, development is impossible. Therefore, seek with
diligent endeavour the knowledge and attainment of all that lies within the
power of this wonderful bestowal.
(“The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912” (Wilmette: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1982), p. 50) [5] |