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Innate Differences of Nature |
In the Bahá’í view the child’s nature is not like so much wax
that can be molded indifferently to any shape according to the
will of the teacher. Nay, each from the first has his own God-given
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character and individuality which can develop to the
best advantage only in a particular way; and that way in each
case is unique. No two people have exactly the same capabilities
and talents, and the true educator will never attempt to
force two natures into the same mold. In fact, he will never
attempt to force any nature into any mold. Rather he will
reverently tend the developing powers of the young nature,
encourage and protect them, and supply the nourishment
and assistance which they need. His work is like that of a gardener
tending different plants. One plant likes the bright sunshine,
another the cool shade; one loves the water’s edge and another
the dry knoll; one thrives best on sandy soil and another on rich
loam. Each must have its needs appropriately supplied, else
its perfections can never be fully revealed. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
says:—
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The Prophets acknowledge that education hath a great
effect upon the human race, but They declare that minds
and comprehensions are originally different. We see that
certain children of the same age, nativity and race, nay,
from the same household, under the tutorship of the same
teacher, differ in minds and comprehensions. No matter
how the shell is educated (or polished) it can never become
the radiant pearl. The black stone will not become
the world-illuminating gem. The thorny cactus can never
by training and development become the blessed tree.
That is to say, training doth not change the essential
nature of the human gem, but it produceth a marvelous
effect. By this effective power all that is latent, of virtues
and capacities in the human reality, will be revealed.
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