These energies with which the Day Star of Divine bounty and
Source of heavenly guidance hath endowed the reality of man lie, however,
latent within him, even as the flame is hidden within the candle and the rays
of light are potentially present in the lamp. The radiance of these energies
may be obscured by worldly desires even as the light of the sun can be
concealed beneath the dust and dross which cover the mirror. Neither the candle
nor the lamp can be lighted through their own unaided efforts, nor can it ever
be possible for the mirror to free itself from its dross. It is clear and
evident that until a fire is kindled the lamp will never be ignited, and unless
the dross is blotted out from the face of the mirror it can never represent the
image of the sun nor reflect its light and glory.
- Baha’u’llah (‘Gleanings from
the Writings of Baha’u’llah’)
