um degree, and another the lowest degree. So man exists, the animal,
the plant, and the mineral exist also--but the degrees of these four
existences vary. What a difference between the existence of man and of the
animal! Yet both are existences. It is evident that in existence there are
differences of degrees.

The variety of inherited qualities comes from strength and weakness of
constitution; that is to say, when the two parents are weak, the children
will be weak; if they are strong, the children will be robust. In the same
way, purity of blood has a great effect; for the pure germ is like the
superior stock which exists in plants and animals. For example, you see
that children born from a weak and feeble father and mother will naturally
have a feeble constitution and weak nerves; they will be afflicted, and
will have neither patience, nor endurance, nor resolution, nor
perseverance, and will be hasty; for the children inherit the weakness and
debility of their parents.

Besides this, an especial blessing is conferred on some families and some
generations. Thus it is an especial blessing that from among the
descendants of Abraham should have come all the Prophets of the children
of Israel. This is a blessing that God has granted to this descent: to
Moses from His father and mother, to Christ from His mother's line; also
to Muhammad and the Bab, and to all the Prophets and the Holy
Manifestations of Israel.

Hence it is evident that inherited character also exists, and to such a
degree that if the characters are not in conformity with their origin,
although they belong physically to that lineage, spiritually they are not
considered members of the family; like Canaan, who is not reckoned as
being of the race of Noah.

But the difference of the qualities with regard to culture is very great;
for education has great influence. Through education the ignorant become
learned, the cowardly become valiant; through cultivation the crooked
branch becomes straight, the acid, bitter fruit of the mountains and woods
becomes sweet and delicious, and the five-petalled flower becomes
hundred-petalled. Through education savage nations become civilized, and
even the animals become domesticated. Education must be considered as most
important; for as diseases in the world of bodies are extremely
contagious, so, in the same way, qualities of spirit and heart are
extremely contagious. Education has a universal influence and the
differe