This diversity is of two kinds. The first kind of diversity involves innate and temperamental differences, which do not preclude the establishment of universal concord and fellowship; on the contrary, such diversity aids its appearance. It is like the various colours and kinds of flowers in a garden; this diversity adds to their beauty and adornment. Similarly, it is even as the different limbs of the human body, each one of which assists the other and causes its perfections to become apparent. Since all the limbs operate under the influence of a single spiritual power, the differences inherent in each of them do not prevail; rather, they work in concert with one another, and become a thing worthy of veneration. The second kind of diversity involves acquired or otherwise imposed differences. This diversity leads to a lack of proper education; it lays the foundation for ignorance and disloyalty, and results in oppression, hatred, and hostility. Such diversity shall, in the end, cause the peoples of the world to enter into war and strife with one another. Diversity of this kind must be eliminated, so that the various peoples of the world may draw on spiritual power and repose together beneath the shade of a single Word . . .
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, 29 December 1912, London, England, 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)