Paris Talks

First published 1912 as<br />
<i>Talks by Abdul Baha Given in Paris</i><br />
by The Unity Press,<br />
East Sheen, Surrey<br />

This twelfth edition<br />
© 1995 The Bah‡'’ Publishing Trust<br />
27 Rutland Gate<br />
London SW7 1PD<br /><br />

Cased ISBN 1-870989-57-0<br />
Paperback ISBN 1-870989-61-9<br /><br />

Printed by The Cromwell Press,<br />
Broughton Gifford, Melksham, Wiltshire SN12 8PH

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<div align="center">PREFACE</div><br />

The first edition of <i>Paris Talks</i>, published by Unity
'Abdu'l-Bah‡ given in Paris from October-December 1911. 
In the second edition, published in 1915, additional 
material was added in the form of three talks
and a Tablet recorded during 'Abdu'l-Bah‡'s visit to
England in 1912-13. These supplementary materials
have since been included in all subsequent editions,
and are now popularly associated with the book. In this
latest edition, consideration was given to the treatment
of this supplementary section and it was decided to
retain the material but in the form of a new 'Part
Three' of the text, previously published in two parts.
The talks have also been numbered for the first time,
and, in line with proposals agreed at an International
Conference of Bah‡'’ Publishers in 1992, have been
indexed by paragraph number to facilitate referencing
and translation.<br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 

While in France, 'Abdu'l-Bah‡ spoke in Persian,
which was then translated into French. <i>Paris Talks</i> is a
collection of original notes made by four visitors from
Great Britain, Lady Sarah Louisa Blomfield, her two
daughters, Mary Esther Blomfield and Rose Ellinor
Cecilia Blomfield, and Beatrice Marion Platt. These
notes were then translated and published in English, at
'Abdu'l-Bah‡'s suggestion. Despite the misgivings of the
four translators, the fruit of their combined efforts,
<i>Paris Talks</i>, has proved to be one of the most popular
and widely used Bah‡'’ books, and has been published
in many languages. As is to be expected with any
composite work, there is some variation in style between
the talks, but for reasons of historical authenticity, only

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a few necessary changes have been made, with the
approval of the Universal House of Justice.<br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 

Since 1912, there have been a total of eleven editions
and many reprints and, for a time, the talks were also
published in the United States under the title <i>The
Wisdom of 'Abdu'l-Bah‡</i>. In this twelfth edition, we gratefully 
acknowledge our thanks to the AssemblŽe
Spirituelle Nationale des Bah‡'’s de France, for providing 
photographs of some of the locations visited by
'Abdu'l-Bah‡ during His visits to Paris. 'Abdu'l-Bah‡
was to visit Paris on a further two occasions, thereby
endowing that already beautiful city with a priceless
spiritual heritage.

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<div align="center">INTRODUCTION</div><br />

In the West, the early part of the twentieth century was
a period of great change, of contrasting hopes and
expectations. Many people were engaged in a spiritual
search which led them into such diverse areas as spiritualism, 
healing, theosophy and occultism, or attracted
them to revivalist and new charismatic sects within
mainstream religion. Coupled with this was a rise in
social consciousness, which found expression in the
labour movement, socialism and the beginnings of the
welfare state. At the same time, there was a growing
awareness of the instability of the international political
system and fear that local skirmishes could escalate into
much wider conflicts. Traditional beliefs were challenged 
by a rise in secularism and the emergence of a
new powerful middle class, whose new-found wealth was
based upon the markets and raw materials provided by
the colonial conquests of the nineteenth century.<br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 

It was into such a world that 'Abdu'l-Bah‡ stepped in 1911. 'Abdu'l-Bah‡ was the son of Bah‡'u'll‡h, Founder
of the Bah‡'’ Faith. Condemned, from the age of nine,
to a life of imprisonment and exile at the hands of the
despotic Ottoman Empire, 'Abdu'l-Bah‡ was eventually
released from prison as an old man. Despite suffering
poor health from years of deprivation, 'Abdu'l-Bah‡
undertook a series of momentous journeys to proclaim
the new gospel revealed by His Father. He visited Paris
for nine weeks, from 3 October until 2 December 1911,
as part of a journey which took Him to several
European countries and to North America.<br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 

Throughout His travels 'Abdu'l-Bah‡ attracted large
audiences of people from all walks of life eager to hear
His words. Despite having received no formal education, 

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'Abdu'l-Bah‡ spoke easily with the leaders of
thought, government and church who sought His counsel, 
and was equally at home with the humble workman,
the forgotten poor or political radical. His reputation as
a saintly figure endowed with innate wisdom quickly
grew, and was widely reported in the press.<br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 

Unaccustomed to western ways and ideas, 'Abdu'l-Bah‡ was nevertheless able to transcend the barrriers
of culture and tradition and address the most vital
concerns of His many different audiences. As He travelled 
in Europe and North America He shared a vision,
based on a unique understanding of His Father's teachings, 
of a new social order which would satisfy the deepest 
longings for a just, peaceful and harmonious world.
He predicted a future which, if certain trends were
nurtured and attitudes fostered, would exceed our
highest expectations. At the same time, He foresaw the
direction that other developments would take if not
checked, and gave clear advice and admonitions on
how to prevent such a fate. He instinctively responded
to those who longed for deeper counsel, sharing with
them a full measure of His compassionate and unconditional 
love, renewing in them a spirit of hope and faith.
With patience, humour and profound sympathy, He
offered pearls of wisdom on the nature of happiness
and spiritual progress, while highlighting the link
between personal transformation and the establishment
of a more equitable and benign society.<br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 
'Abdu'l-Bah‡'s talks in Paris can be seen as a distillation 
of some of Bah‡'u'll‡h's most important teachings
across a whole spectrum of issues. In the area of social
reform, 'Abdu'l-Bah‡ addressed such subjects as the
rights of women, racism, xenophobia and unbridled
nationalism, the abolition of war, and the basis of
collective security and peace between nations. His

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concern for the downtrodden and oppressed, and the
obscene disparities between rich and poor, was demonstrated 
through countless personal acts of kindness and
sacrifice, and His many statements on human rights
and responsibilities challenged the social conventions of
the time.<br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 

His spiritual themes include answers to age-old
questions; what is the nature of God, of the soul, of
love? How can one acquire spiritual qualities? He
discussed many subjects of particular interest to
Christians, including biblical prophecy, and showed
how religious truth is progressively revealed to humanity 
by God through intermediaries such as Christ and
Bah‡'u'll‡h.<br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 

'Abdu'l-Bah‡'s vision was of a world reconciled to its
oneness, universal in its outlook and united in all its
glorious diversity. In the early 1900s however, throughout 
Europe, people were dazzled by imperial
pageantry, swept up by triumphant nationalism, and
entranced by the wonders of new scientific and technological 
achievements. While its leaders vied to build
their infernal engines of war, few paid heed to the clarion 
call for peace raised by an elderly prisoner from a
backwater of a disintegrating Turkish empire. Europe
was on the edge of disaster and 'Abdu'l-Bah‡ knew it,
but it has taken the collective suffering of two world
wars, followed by the global disintegration of political,
social and religious systems, to reveal the true significance 
of His words.<br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 

Almost a century later, the Paris talks of 'Abdu'l-Bah‡
still have important contributions to make to our
current thinking. They provide us with new, more
appropriate ways of looking at our world, free of prejudice, 
liberated from the paralysing contradictions of the
past, seeing all people as members of the same human

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family. They illuminate the potential for good in
human nature, showing all religions as part of a chain
of guidance from God stretching from the past into the
far distant future, viewing religion as a source of unity
rather than division, seeing that personal salvation is
intimately linked to the salvation of the whole world
through the establishment of a new social order.
'Abdu'l-Bah‡'s advice is not only spiritually uplifting but
practical and well suited to people more concerned,
perhaps, with the 'how' rather than the 'why'. He
provides strategies that enable people to work together
in unity Ð strategies springing directly from the teachings 
of Bah‡'u'll‡h Ð and shows how to apply and
translate those spiritual teachings into daily action.<br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 

His emphasis on the need to discover religious and
spiritual truth for oneself, rather than to rely on the
ideas of others, is of vital importance to one's sense of
self and integrity, so much sought after today. Perhaps,
most importantly of all, 'Abdu'l-Bah‡ did not simply
preach virtue, but demonstrated and lived it. As we look
ahead to the critical fortunes of our small planet we find
in the example of 'Abdu'l-Bah‡, not only a new ethos, a
new morality for all the world, but also a true model for
the way we can live our lives: therein lies the abiding
power of His teachings. <i>Paris Talks</i>, the first publication
of 'Abdu'l-Bah‡'s talks given in the West, will thus
remain of enduring value. That 'Abdu'l-Bah‡'s guidance 
has not yet been universally implemented, is
perhaps more reason to read His words and consider
their implications for our future.


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<div align="center">INDEX<br /><br />

<i>References to the words of'Abdu'l-Bah‡ are indexed by
talk number, followed by paragraph number.</i></div><br />

Aaron, 33.21
'Abdu'l-Bah‡, 53.15
	imprisonment, 10.2, 10.5-10, 35.14
	principles, 59.8
'Abdu'l-Ham’d, 10.6
Abraham, 4.2, 13.4, 27.7, 53.17
actions (deeds), 1.8-15, 2.5-7, 9.2, 14.2, 14.5, 18.4, 26.1-9, 49.6
Adam, 40.12, 45.11, 56.1
adversity, 35.8
affection, 24.8, 32.4, 34.1
'Al’, 40.18
Anas, 33.4
angels, 18.5, 53.9
animal kingdom, 2.1-2, 3.6, 3.8, 5.8-9, 6.1, 9.17, 23.2-3, 23.6, 28.6, 29.27, 31.2-3, 34.1, 36.3, 36.9, 39.20-1, 42.9, 50.4, 54.10
Arabs, 13.9-12, 27.8
Aristotle, 3.3, 51.5
arts, 23.5, 26.6, 28.7, 54.15, 55.1
attraction, law of, 29.12, 31.3, 42.5-7
Avicenna, 3.3
B‡b, 4.2, 25.1-2, 27.9, 29.34
Bad’', 25.10-12
Bah‡'’ Faith ('the Bah‡'’ Cause'; 'the cause'; 'the Cause of God'; 'the Cause of the Glory of God'; 'this great and glorious Cause'; 'the Revelation'), 10.8, 24.2, 25.14, 33.10, 33.19, 52.1
Bah‡'’s ('followers of the Light'; 'friends of God, 1.6, 4.8, 24.2, 26.5-8, 30.10
Bah‡'u'll‡h ('the Blessed Perfection'), 4.2, 8.7, 25.1-21, 29.34, 33.9-10, 39.5, 49.17, 53.17, 53.19-20, 59.5, 59.8
principles, 4.8, 24.4, 40.7-36, 41.1, 42.1-2, 44.1-2, 46.1, 50.1, 50.14, 52.1-2
teachings, 1.7, 13.1-2, 13.20, 15.12, 19.8, 27.10, 28.12, 30.10, 33.25, 36.10, 40.6, 42.11-12, 49.12, 50.15, 51.1, 52.1, 52.3, 54.8

	Writings, 53.19; quotations, 5.4, 12.3, 12.7, 45.3, 59.8
baptism, 27.1-5, 53.10
Bible, 16.1, 18.6, 54.19
birth, new, spiritual, 8.7, 29.40
books (words, writings), holy, sacred, etc, 1.10, 5.5, 9.2, 18.6-7, 22.10, 26.2, 26.6, 34.1, 40.12, 56.1
Buddha, 41.9
Buddhists, 41.3-4
Burning Bush, 22.7
Caiaphas, 14.7, 33.4
calumny, 33.8-25
Christ, 4.2, 7.5, 8.4-5, 11.11, 12.3-6, 13.10-19, 14.5, 16.1-7, 17.13, 18.4, 19.7, 21.3, 27.1-4, 27.8, 29.16, 33.4, 33.14, 33.22-3, 38.1-8, 39.3, 41.9, 44.12, 45.7, 53.7, 53.17
	apostles, disciples, 14.5, 18.4, 33.14, 38.7-9, 39.3, 51.5-6, 51.12, 52.6, 57.2
	words, 5.4, 5.16, 11.10, 12.3, 13.14, 15.2, 27.1, 28.21, 49.12, 52.6
Christianity, 7.3-5, 8.4
Christians, 7.4-6, 13.8, 13.19-20, 41.3-4
	and Muslims, 13.8, 13.20,
civilization, 11.11
	material, 4.7, 5.22, 19.4, 34.3-5
	mental, 4.7
	spiritual, 8.9, 31.10
	true, 4.4-8, 7.3-4
contemplation, 54.3, 54.8
conventionality, 1.8, 15.7
country, love of, 9.3, 9.7
crafts, 55.1
creation:
	aim of, 29.18
	kingdoms, 11.2, 50.2, 55.2
		higher, superior, 5.9, 6.1;
		lower, inferior, 5.7Ð9, 11.3,
	new, 8.8
customs, 6.3, 34.6
David, 16.4
death, 3.3-5
	life after, 20.11-13, 29.6-8, 49.6
detachment, 24.10, 28.19
diversity, 15.3-12
Dreyfus, Hippolyte, 10.4
East, 1.8, 4.1-6, 8.3-4, 22.1, 23.1-2, 23.8, 27.10, 28.4-5, 28.18, 33.4, 34.9, 50.12-13
education, 50.5, 51.11, 56.1
Elijah, 51.5
enlightenment, 8.3, 11.12
equality, 16.4, 40.12, 46.5-9
	before God, 42.3, 45.11, 50.5, 50.10
	before the law, 40.25-6, 47.2-6
	of the sexes, 50.1-15, 59.5-8
equalization of means of existence, 40.22-4, 46.2-13
Esperanto, 48.6, 48.10
Europe, 34.5, 38.9, 50.12
	Monarchs, 25.9
evil, 18.3, 56.1
Ezekiel, 51.5
family, love of, 9.3
fear, 49.1-8
foreigners, 1.1-8
freedom, 9.17-19, 10.9, 11.6. 35.7, 39.14
friendship, 1.7-9, 6.11, 58.9
future, 21.6
God, 1.1, 1.15, 1.17, 3.8, 4.8, 5.2-21, 5.24, 6.9, 6.12-13, 7.4, 7.7, 8.2, 8.7, 8.9, 9.17, 9.1, 9.21, 9.22-3, 9.26, 10.1, 10.3, 10.7, 10.9, 11.1, 11.10, 12.3-6, 12.10, 13.2, 13.4-6, 13.10-12, 13.19, 14.1, 14.3, 14.5, 14.7-8, 14.11, 15.1-2, 15.5, 15.12, 16.1-2, 16.8-10, 17.3-13, 18.2-6, 19.11-12, 20.1, 21.1, 21.5-6, 22.9-10, 23.3, 23.6, 24.9-10, 24.12, 26.4, 26.7, 26.9, 27.4-11, 28.1, 28.20, 28.22, 29.38, 30.3, 30.8, 30.10, 31.6, 32.2, 32.5, 32.7, 32.12, 32.14-15, 33.1, 33.6, 33.8, 33.18, 33.21, 33.24, 34.1, 34.6-9, 35.7, 35.13-16, 36.2-3, 36.8, 37.3, 37.5, 37.7, 39.7-13, 41.5, 42.2-3, 42.9, 44.20, 45.4-5, 45.7, 45.11, 45.18-20, 46.12-13, 49.11-12, 50.10, 51.5, 53.10-11, 53.12, 55.1
	attributes, 2.3, 3.1-4, 3.3, 3.8-9, 4.5, 4.7, 5.5-6, 5.9, 5.11, 5.15, 5.13, 5.23, 6.9-10, 6.13, 8.8-9, 9.21, 9.25-6, 10.7, 10.10, 11.4, 12.9, 13.2, 13.10, 14.1, 15.12, 16.9, 16.10, 17.1, 17.9, 17.14, 19.2, 19.12, 20.2, 20.12, 20.15, 21.5, 22.11, 23.3, 28.21, 31.6, 31.8, 34.7-9, 35.7, 35.9-10, 35.13, 35.15, 36.9, 37.7, 38.12, 39.7, 39.9-11, 39.24, 40.11-12, 44.4, 44.20, 45.11, 49.14, 49.17-18, 50.14, 51.14-15, 53.2-3, 53.4, 53.18
	titles, 3.3, 5.7, 5.9-11, 5.15, 5.17, 5.19, 5.21, 5.26, 6.12-13, 8.8, 9.26, 13.2, 14.8, 15.1-2, 16.9, 17.1, 17.3, 17.6-7, 17.9, 17.12, 18.7, 28.19, 28.22, 32.14, 34.7-8, 35.13, 36.10, 39.7, 39.13, 40.14, 42.11, 44.20, 45.11, 45.14, 45.19, 49.8, 54.1
goodness, 1.11-12, 1.14, 18.3, 35.15
grief, 14.8, 35.3
guidance, 28.4
happiness, 4.6, 14.8, 20.9, 23.7, 34.7-8, 34.10, 57.2-8
harmony, 4.5, 10.3, 15.6, 34.9, 37.4
hatred, 9.1, 9.7, 9.9-11, 32.9-12
healing, 3.1-3, 39.15-17
Heaven, 9.21, 11.13, 12.3, 12.6, 12.9, 16.6, 53.9
holiness, 18.4, 26.6
Holy Spirit, 4.7, 5.24, 6.12, 8.7, 9.14, 9.18, 12.9, 13.10, 13.16, 17.6-13, 18.6, 19.4, 19.7, 19.12, 21.3, 25.18, 27.1, 28.1, 28.7-9, 29.17, 31.6, 31.9, 33.23, 34.9, 35.15, 39.13, 39.20, 51.1-16, 52.5, 53.4, 53.20, 54.11, 58.4, 58.10
honour, 21.6
hope, 49.1-5
human race ('family of mankind'; 'human kingdom'; 'humanity'; 'mankind'; 'men'; 'people'; 'peoples'; 'sons of humanity'; 'world of humanity'), 1.9, 4.6, 5.2, 7.7, 8.8, 9.4, 10.3, 11.12, 31.1, 31.6, 32.4, 32.12, 33.6, 34.9, 35.6,
	diversity, 15.5-11
	peace, 32.4, 32.12
	unity (brotherhood, solidarity, etc), 4.9, 5.2, 6.12, 9.23, 11.12, 13.1, 16.4, 32.3, 34.9-10, 39.26, 40.8-14, 40.41, 42.2-12, 45.11-15, 49.17, 50.15, 53.15, 55.1, 58.7
humility, 33.25, 45.8
ideals, 1.10, 2.6, 4.6, 11.13, 32.8
ideas,
	material, 9.26
	spiritual, 4.3
idol worship, 13.8, 13.12, 41.5, 44.20
ignorance, 39.15
imperfections, 18.1-2, 39.16
individuality, 20.10, 28.2
injustice, 16.4, 49.16
Isaac, 27.7
Isaiah, 51.5
Israel, prophets of, 13.12, 16.2, 22.6, 39.2, 51.5
Jacob, 13.4, 27.7
Jeremiah, 51.5
Jews, 13.3-7, 13.19, 16.1-6, 33.4, 41.3-4
Job, 14.5
John the Evangelist, 17.13
Joseph, 13.4, 27.7
joy, 8.1, 35.1-3, 35.6, 35.11-13, 36.11, 57.3
Judah, prophets of, 51.5
Judas Iscariot, 45.7
justice, 1.16, 2.6, 18.4, 37.6, 37.9, 49.14-17
kindness, 1.4, 1.7, 9.1, 15.7, 24.8
Kingdom, eternal, spiritual, 8.3, 10.9, 10.11, 12.9, 18.4, 21.1, 26.6, 30.2, 32.4, 32.13, 35.7-8, 35.12, 36.2-3, 45.21, 49.7-8, 53.10-11, 54.2, 54.17-19, 56.1, 58.5
	of Abh‡, 53.23
	of Bah‡'u'll‡h, 25.16, 53.3
	of Glory, 4.9, 28.23, 51.12
	of God, 6.12, 12.3, 13.17, 15.12, 19.12, 22.10, 28.21, 30.6, 32.7, 38.1, 53.8, 54.15;
		on earth, 11.13, 34.6
	of Heaven, 12.9, 23.3, 31.8, 35.15, 36.10, 38.12;
		on earth, 7.5
Kit‡b-i-Aqdas, 48.2
knowledge, 4.3, 11.13, 17.10, 23.4, 29.9-10, 35.13
Krishna, 9.1
language, universal, 48.2-10
life, eternal, everlasting, immortal, 14.7, 15.12, 17.11, 27.2-4, 27.6, 28.8, 35.13, 35.15, 36.10, 38.1, 38.5, 54.11, 58.4
	in the world to come, 20.1
	new, 8.8
	spiritual, 17.7, 19.6, 54.13

love, 1.13, 6.7-8, 7.4, 9.1-15, 11.10, 30.4, 32.4, 39.19, 42.5, 45.13, 53.13, 58.1
	Divine, 9.20, 21.2
Lycurgus, 46.8
man:
	and animals, 2.1-2, 3.8, 5.8, 6.1, 9.17, 23.2-3, 23.6, 28.6, 31.2-3, 31.6, 31.9, 34.1, 36.3, 36.9, 39.20-1, 42.10, 54.10, 54.14
	and God, 5.4-21, 5.24, 8.2, 8.8, 9.17, 11.1, 15.5, 17.3-13, 23.3, 23.6, 39.19
	and nature, 9.17-19, 11.5-9, 39.20-4, 56.1
	body, 12.10, 19.2-3, 20.1-15, 28.6, 29.2, 29.5-6, 31.1-4, 31.6-7, 34.6
	ego, 57.4,
	faculties,
		physical, 5.7, 5.14;
		spiritual, 29.41
	heart, 5.4, 5.6, 5.21, 5.24, 6.7, 6.9, 6.12, 7.4, 12.8, 13.1, 16.8, 18.5, 19.12, 21.2-3, 22.11, 24.12, 26.9, 27.11, 28.2, 30.5, 31.6, 31.9, 32.3-4, 34.6-8, 35.7, 36.2-3, 37.5, 52.4, 57.4
	imagination, 5.6-10
	immortality, 29.29-31
	instinct,
		natural, 8.2;
		spiritual, 29.8
	mind (intellect, intelligence, understanding), 4.8, 5.5-8, 5.15, 5.18-20, 6.11, 9.18, 11.1-13, 12.2, 16.8, 17.3, 17.10, 18.4, 22.3-5, 23.3, 29.5, 29.10, 29.29, 30.4, 31.3-6, 33.15, 34.1, 35.2, 35.13, 36.10, 37.7, 39.26, 40.17, 44.14, 44.18-23, 54.3, 57.1
	powers,
		bodily, earthly, 29.2, 3.5;
		spiritual, 3.7, 9.20, 39.20
	reality, 2.1, 23.7, 28.6
	soul, 5.11-12, 7.1, 8.7, 9.26, 17.7, 19.3, 20.2, 20.4, 20.12-14, 20.4, 20.6-10, 20.15, 21.1, 22.11, 27.4, 28.1-2, 28.6-7, 28.13-17, 29.4-8, 29.13-15, 29.23-29, 30.7, 31.1, 31.3, 31.5-9, 34.6, 34.8, 36.2, 36.10
	spirit, 9.20, 10.6, 10.11, 12.16, 16.5, 18.4, 20.3-6, 20.8, 20.11, 21.1, 22.10, 23.2, 23.7, 28.2, 29.1, 29.8-11, 29.15-17, 31.1, 29.31-39, 31.4-8, 35.10, 37.7, 54.4, 54.7, 54.9, 54.17-18, 55.2, 57.1, 57.4
	superior to other kingdoms of creation, 2.2, 3.6, 5.8, 5.12-14, 6.1-2, 11.2-9, 29.20, 31.5-6, 44.18
	two natures, 18.2-4, 19.2-4, 31.6-9
	will, 9.18, 11.9
Manifestation of God, ('Divine Beings'; 'Divine Manifestations of the Truth'; 'Heaven-Sent Teachers'; 'Masters';  'Messengers'; 'the Perfect Man'; 'Prophets'; 'Prophets of God'; 'Spiritual Philosophers'; 'Spiritual Teachers'; 'the Sun of Truth'; Teachers'), 2.6-7, 4.1-2, 5.15-17, 7.1, 7.4, 7.6-7, 8.7, 9.1, 12.8, 13.11, 13.17, 14.11, 15.2, 16.10, 17.7, 17.11, 18.6, 19.6, 23.2, 28.18, 29.31, 33.1, 34.6, 34.9, 37.5, 38.7, 39.5-6, 39.18, 40.14, 44.10, 51.2-12, 53.16, 56.1
Mary, 12.4, 13.10, 16.6
materialism, materiality, 2.2, 9.5, 9.13, 29.3, 32.7, 35.4, 35.12, 36.10, 39.5, 39.19-20
materialists, 29.24-38
meditation, 54.2, 54.8-17
meetings, 5.1-3, 24.2, 24.11, 32.5
	material, 21.1
	spiritual, 21.1-4, 32.1, 36.2
mercy, 28.19, 37.7, 39.13
mineral kingdom, 5.7, 20.14, 27.2, 29.4
Moses, 4.2, 13.4, 13.10-12, 13.16, 13.19, 16.4, 16.6, 22.7, 27.7, 33.3, 33.21, 39.1, 41.9, 44.12, 53.17
mothers, 50.8-9
Muhammad, 4.2, 13.9-12, 13.17, 22.8, 27.8, 29.33, 33.5, 39.4, 53.17
Muslims ('people of Isl‡m'), 13.8-12, 13.16, 41.4
	 and Christians, 13.8, 13.20
mysteries, 16.9, 35.2, 54.6, 54.13
N‡siri'd-D’n Sh‡h, 25.10-17
nations, 4.6, 7.3, 7.7, 13.2, 15.5, 34.9-10, 39.17
nature, 9.19, 11.9, 15.2, 19.2. 29.2, 39.20, 42.9, 50.5

	laws, 3.6, 9.17-19, 11.5-6, 17.2, 23.4, 39.21
New Jerusalem, 28.3-4, 28.19
Old Testament:
	quotations, 5.4, 46.10
opinion, diversity, 15.9
opposition, 36.4, 52.5
oppression, 1.16, 2.6, 24.2, 26.7
pain, 35.1
Paris, 5.1, 5.22-3, 9.16, 10.5, 18.1, 20.1, 21.1, 24.3, 28.5, 53.1, 53.4, 53.8-9
Paul, 45.7
peace, 6.9, 16.4, 39.9, 40.27-8, 48.2
	Most Great, 34.6
perfection, 1.11, 14.9, 18.4, 19.3, 29.4, 31.8, 36.3, 50.10, 55.2
Persia, 4.2, 24.2, 28.4, 34.9, 39.5, 49.13, 54.1-3
Peter, 13.14, 14.7, 17.13, 51.6
Pharaoh, 13.5, 33.3, 33.21
Pharisees, 16.4, 33.4, 33.22
philosophers, 2.6, 51.4, 51.8
philosopy, Divine, 54.2
Plato, 51.5
Pliny, 51.5
politics, 9.3, 9.10, 45.19
	and religion, 40.29-31, 49.8-13
poverty, 46.3-4, 46.10-13
prayer, 24.9, 26.7, 29.6, 35.9, 37.7, 39.25, 55.1
prejudice, 5.2, 12.8, 40.8-9, 40.19-21, 41.7-8, 45.1-3
	political, 45.15
	racial, 45.11-15
	religious, 13.2-20, 45.4-10
progress,
	material, 7.2, 19.5-6, 21.1, 23.5, 28.5, 31.9, 34.4-6, 39.20, 40.35
	spiritual, 5.22, 19.5-6, 28.5, 29.9, 29.36, 31.6, 34.6
progressive revelation, 39.2-6
prosperity, 24.2, 28.5
purity, 1.16, 12.9, 18.1, 20.12
Qur'‡n, 18.6
	quotations, 5.4, 13.10, 22.8, 29.38
race, races, 9.8-9, 16.6, 32.3
religion, 29.6, 33.8, 39.20, 39.26, 40.7, 40.13-18, 41.3-11, 42.1
	and civilization, 7.3
	and morality, 7.3-4
	and politics, 40.29-31, 49.8-13
	and science, 40.15-18, 44.1-26
	dogma, 5.19, 41.3, 44.14-15, 54.6

	essence of all, 27.6
	doctors, leaders, Mullas, priests, teachers, 13.2, 13.15, 25.1-3, 27.1, 39.17
	misrepresentation, 13.2
	ritual, 39.13, 44.14
	two main parts, 44.7Ð13
	unity, 39.7, 39.15
	war amongst, 13.8
sacrifice, 14.5, 57.3
sadness, 30.4, 35.2
saints, 2.2, 18.1-4, 18.7
salvation, 27.1, 36.10
savagery, 6.6, 34.1
science, 4.3, 11.3, 11.13, 23.4, 24.1, 26.6, 28.7, 29.14, 41.9, 54.5, 54.15, 55.1
	and religion, 40.15-18, 44.1-26
Scribes, 16.4, 33.4
scriptures, 16.5, 16.8
sects, 16.6
selflessness, 7.4, 32.4
senses, 5.7-8, 28.14, 31.3
service, 1.8, 9.3, 9.11, 21.1, 24.6, 26.6, 55.1
sickness,
	material, of the body, 3.1-3, 19.3, 35.9
	spiritual, of the soul, 3.1Ð2
sin, 8.7, 20.8, 32.6, 29.6, 32.13, 56.1
sincerity, 6.12, 14.5
slander, 33.10-20
slavery, 6.3, 13.11, 34.8
Society of Friends, 54.1-7
Socrates, 51.5
sorrow, 14.2, 35.3, 35.8, 35.13
spirituality, 4.8, 23.1, 24.1, 28.1, 34.4, 34.6, 35.15, 39.5, 39.26, 40.14, 52.4, 53.5
stagnation, 29.11
steadfastness, 33.25
suffering, 14.2-5, 35.4, 57.1-2
superstition, 34.9, 41.2-3, 41.6, 41.8, 44.2-3, 44.14-15, 44.19
Supreme Tribunal, 40.28, 48.1
teachings (divine, holy, sacred), 5.24, 27.6, 28.4, 33.6, 34.6, 45.18
Theosophical Society, 40.1, 40.41
thought, 1.9, 2.1-7, 6.7-11, 17.10, 40.30
Tihr‡n, 24.2
tolerance, 34.2, 37.7
tomb, 6.2-3
trials, 14.1-7, 35.4-6
truth, 5.24, 7.2, 15.8, 28.1, 32.4, 33.10-13, 36.10, 39.3-5, 39.14, 40.2-9, 40.37, 41.1-11, 42.1, 44.26

tyranny, 46.11
understanding, spiritual, 7.2, 37.7
unity, 5.25, 9.15, 9.21, 15.12, 24.11, 28.2, 32.8, 39.6, 41.7
	of spirits, 58.7
Universal House of Justice, 59.8
vegetable kingdom, 15.4-5, 50.3
virtues, 2.6, 14.10, 17.11, 18.5, 20.8, 28.17, 36.5-6, 36.9, 39.6, 39.13, 50.10, 55.2
war, 6.1-10, 9.1, 11.10, 32.9-12, 34.1-7, 37.2-5, 39.25, 40.28, 45.15-18, 48.1, 59.6
wealth, 46.4, 46.10-13
West, 1.8, 4.3-7, 8.3-7, 22.1, 23.1, 23.8, 27.10, 28.5
women, 13.11, 40.32-3, 50.5-15, 59.5-8
world,
	material, 3.7, 15.2-3, 17.2, 18.4-5, 20.14, 21.1, 23.3, 28.9, 28.11, 29.9-10, 31.10, 33.2, 35.1-7, 35.10, 36.2, 42.8, 56.1, 58.4
	spiritual, 20.1, 21.1, 28.11, 35.3, 35.6-7, 36.3, 42.8
worship, 55.1
Zacharias, 13.10
Zoroastrians, 41.3, 41.5