The permanence of those souls, [those who are “content with this earthly life”] when compared with that of the sanctified souls, is even as non-existence itself. It is similar to this wood, which does exist, but has no real life when compared with the world of humanity. Therefore, the existence and permanence of worldly souls, when compared with heavenly existence and permanence, cannot truly be called life. If this mortal life had any real significance, Jesus Christ would not have consented to be crucified. This ephemeral life is nothing but grief and sorrow. With every passing day, people grow anxious about their hopes and dreams, or mourn the loss of a loved one, or suffer an unforeseen calamity. What sort of life is this? The real life is the life which is everlasting. Let your thoughts be fixed upon that which is eternal, that you may have no fear of death, and ever regard yourself as one alive. Be courageous! A persons heart must overflow with life, his spirit must be filled with gladness, and his understanding must be vast and all-embracing; otherwise, he is like the animal - no, baser would he be! If merit lies in material existence, then the birds fare better than we. How hard must one work to live, and what hardships one must endure to survive! Yet, the birds of the mountains and prairies live effortlessly on the highest peaks and branches of trees. The fields and plains are their scenery, and the seeds and crops their wealth. No human knows such peace! If physical comfort were the only criterion, rhe lives of these birds would assuredly be superior to human life.
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha en route to Liverpool, on board the Celtic, 5 December 1912; recorded by Mahmud Zarqani, His secretary and chronicler during His travels in the West; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’, vol. 2: ‘Abdu’l-Baha in Europe 1912-1913)