Love manifests its reality in deeds, not only in words—these
alone are without effect. In order that love may manifest its power there must
be an object, an instrument, a motive.
There are many ways of expressing the love principle; there
is love for the family, for the country, for the race, there is political
enthusiasm, there is also the love of community of interest in service. These
are all ways and means of showing the power of love. Without any such means,
love would be unseen, unheard, unfelt—altogether unexpressed, unmanifested!...
it is necessary to have an instrument, a motive for love’s manifestation, an
object, a mode of expression.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a talk, Paris, October 24,
1911, ‘Paris Talks’)
