But the love which sometimes exists between friends is not (true) love,
because it is subject to transmutation; this is merely fascination. As the
breeze blows, the slender trees yield. If the wind is in the East the tree
leans to the West, and if the wind turns to the West the tree leans to the
East. This kind of love is originated by the accidental conditions of
life. This is not love, it is merely acquaintanceship; it is subject to
change.
Today you will see two souls apparently in close friendship; tomorrow all
this may be changed. Yesterday they were ready to die for one another,
today they shun one another’s society! This is not love; it is the
yielding of the hearts to the accidents of life. When that which has
caused this ‘love’ to exist passes, the love passes also; this is not in
reality love.
Love is only of the four kinds that I have explained. (a) The love of God
towards the identity of God. Christ has said God is Love. (b) The love of
God for His children—for His servants. (c) The love of man for God and (d)
the love of man for man. These four kinds of love originate from God.
These are rays from the Sun of Reality; these are the Breathings of the
Holy Spirit; these are the Signs of the Reality.
TABLET REVEALED BY ‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ
August 28th, 1913
O Thou my beloved daughter!
Thine eloquent and fluent letter was perused in a garden, under the cool
shade of a tree, while the gentle breeze was wafting. The means of
physical enjoyment was spread before the eyes and thy letter became the
cause of spiritual enjoyment. Truly, I say, it was not a letter but a
rose-garden adorned with hyacinths and flowers.
It contained the sweet fragrance of paradise and the zephyr of Divine Love
blew from its roseate words.
As I have not ample time at my disposal, I will give herein a brief,
conclusive and comprehensive answer. It is as follows:
In this Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, the women go neck and neck with the
men. In no movement will they be left behind. Their rights with men are
equal in degree. They will enter all the administrative branches of
politics. They will attain in all such a degree as will be considered the
very highest station of the world of humanity and will take part in all
affairs. Rest ye assured. Do ye not look upon the present conditions; in
the not far distant future the world of women will become all-refulgent
and all-glorious, For His Holiness Bahá’u’lláh Hath Willed It so! At the
time of elections the right to vote is the inalienable right of women, and
the entrance of women into all human departments is an irrefutable and
incontrovertible question. No soul can retard or prevent it.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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