“the directors of companies and the owners of factories to allot a certain share, however small it may be, to their laborers”

He spoke much that day about the hardworking laborers and workers’ rights, about how hard they work and how desperate and needy their lives are:

“What hardship these coal miners have to suffer, how poor and needy they are! It is necessary for the directors of companies and the owners of factories to allot a certain share, however small it may be, to their laborers so that their condition may be improved and they may be deterred from striking.” 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha aboard the Cedric, March 28, 1912; recorded by Mahmud Zarqani, His secretary and chronicler during His travels in the West; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’)

“The great causes of separation among the people”

The great causes of separation among the people are:

(a) Racial; (b) Political; (c) Religious; (d) Traditional; (e) Personal; (f) Commercial prejudices.

Baha’u’llah has abolished these. None can say that this is not good. Anyone who denies this is ignorant. God has created the world as one—the boundaries are marked out by man. God has not divided the lands. Each man has his house and meadow; horses and dogs do not divide the fields into shares. That is why Baha’u’llah says; “Let not a man glory in this, that he loves his country, let him rather glory in this, that he loves his kind.” All are one family, one race. All are human beings. Differences as to partition of lands should not be the cause of separation among the people. One of the great reasons of separation is color. Look how this prejudice has power in America, for instance. See how they hate one another! Think over this. Animals do not quarrel because of their color! Surely man should not, who is so much higher in creation. What ignorance exists. White doves do not quarrel with other doves that are blue, because of their color but white men fight with dark colored men. This racial prejudice is the worst of all.

All are one. In the Old Testament it says that God created man like unto His own image. In the Qur’an it says: “There is no difference in the creation of God!” Think well. God has created all, cares for all, and all are under His protection. The policy of God is better than our policy. We are not as wise as He. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (Discourses given by ‘Abdu’l-Baha in London and Paris’; Star of the West, vol. 2, no. 19, March 2, 1912)

An example of persecution experienced by Peter and Paul

Concerning the fact that blows, suffering and tribulations and trials endured by true believers are conducive to the progress and advancement of the Cause of God. 'Abdu'l-Baha said in part:

"Paul and Peter, the Apostles, once went into one of the cities of the Greeks and engaged in teaching the Truth. In that city, there was a temple which bore the inscription, 'To the Name of the Unknown God.' Paul arose and, addressing himself to the multitude, said: 'We bring you tidings from the same "Unknown God.'" thus preaching to them the message of Christ. A great number of the Greeks became interested in the Cause. This aroused jealousy in the Jews who began to make trouble. The multitude, aroused by these seditions, attacked the Apostles and beat them until they fell unconscious. Then their bodies were dragged along the road and thrown outside the city. Paul and Peter continued in a death-like unconsciousness all night. Early in the morning. Paul, who was brought to himself, said to Peter: 'There is a fair today in a place in this neighborhood, at which many people will be present. Let us move along to preach the Gospel in that place.' Peter celled attention to their wounded and bruised bodies; and although at first too weak to move, they finally arose and betook themselves to the fair and preached. Briefly, these persecutions caused a further spread of the Cause of Christ, in that they caused them to be removed into a new place and preach to a new multitude." 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha recorded by Ali Kuli Khan, 'Abdu'l-Baha's English-language secretary during 1899 to 1901; ‘Ali-Kuli Khan 1906 Pilgrim Notes’)

Idols and images by followers of Buddha and Krishna

What a great difference exists between men. One person degrades himself to such a degree that he idolizes and worships stones, lifeless images, motionless effigies, notwithstanding diat God has given him understanding and favored him with the honored robe of humanity! Another person reaches such a pinnacle of perfection that he becomes a sign of God and an educator of the world of humanity! Consider what a great distance there is between the one and the other. Although the object of both Buddha and Krishna was the one God and they proclaimed the unity of God, yet now their followers cling to and believe in idols and images. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha aboard the Cedric, March 27, 1912; recorded by Mahmud Zarqani, His secretary and chronicler during His travels in the West; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’)

“Joy is the best cure for… illness”

Then turning to Haji Khurasani [who was just recovering from a long period of mental and physical indisposition] He said in part:

"Joy is the best cure for your illness. Joy is better than a hundred thousand medicines for a sick person. If there is a sick person and one wishes to cure him. let one cause joy and happiness in his heart." 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha recorded by Ali Kuli Khan, 'Abdu'l-Baha's English-language secretary during 1899 to 1901; ‘Ali-Kuli Khan 1906 Pilgrim Notes’)

“The world is like a tree… and man is like the fruit of that tree”

The world is like a tree; the mineral kingdom is like the root; the animal kingdom is like the blossoms; and man is like the fruit of that tree. The tree is but for its fruit. If the gardener did not expect fruit he would never plant the trees. In the same way everything is for man… What is the sum-total and upshot of farming, plowing and sowing the seeds and irrigating? Is there any other thought back of all these labors save the gathering of crops? If the sheaves are only green and verdant but having no grains of wheat or barley the result is not achieved. The aim has not been the verdancy of the field but the richness of the harvest. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, compilation by DR. Zia Baghdadi; Star of the West, vol. 19, no.2, May 1928)