In the teachings of Baha’u’llah it is written: "Whatever progress is made by man, he always needs the Power of the Holy Spirit, for the power of man is limited and the Divine Power is without limit."
In history we have seen that all truly great men who have helped on the progress of humanity have been inspired by the Holy Spirit. Often these men were, at first, insignificant.
The Prophets of God have not all come out of learned schools of philosophy, they were mostly men of simple origin, lacking the knowledge of reading and writing. The power by which they were raised above men, and by which they became teachers of the Truth, was the Power of the Holy Spirit. Their influence on humanity, by virtue of this power, was great and penetrating.
Now look at the philosophers in comparison, men of great learning and abnormal intellect: Plato, Aristotle, Pliny and Socrates—their influence on the world of humanity was limited and restrained. Plato with all his wonderful knowledge and philosophy never moved a man to the extent that he would sacrifice his life for the teaching, while simple men filled with the Holy Spirit influenced humanity to such an extent that thousands would die to uphold their teaching.
The Prophets of Juda and Israel: Jeremiah, Isaiah, were simple men, as also were the Apostles of Christ. Peter, the chief of the Apostles, did not know how to count the days of the week. He used to divide the produce of his fishing into seven parts, and when, having taken one part a day for use, he arrived at the seventh portion, he knew it was the Sabbath Day. Consider this and then think of his future state, to what glory he was brought through the influence of the Holy Spirit. Whoever, then, receives this Power is able to influence all with whom he is in contact. The greatest philosopher without this Spirit is powerless; his soul is lifeless, his heart dead. Till the Holy Spirit breathes in his soul he can do no good work.
No philosophy, no system, has ever changed the manners and customs of the people for the better. The morals of the philosophers who are not enlightened by the Divine Spirit are inferior. An ignorant man, filled with the Holy Spirit, is powerful. He who is educated by the Holy Spirit, can in his turn educate others in the same Spirit.
I pray for you that you may be helped by the Holy Spirit and that you may receive the educating thereof.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Discourses given by ‘Abdu’l-Baha in London and Paris’; Star of the West, vol. 3, no. 2, April 9, 1912)