True civilization will unfurl its banner in the midmost
heart of the world whenever a certain number of its distinguished and
high-minded sovereigns -- the shining exemplars of devotion and determination
-- shall, for the good and happiness of all mankind, arise, with firm resolve
and clear vision, to establish the Cause of Universal Peace. They must make the
Cause of Peace the object of general consultation, and seek by every means in
their power to establish a Union of the nations of the world. They must
conclude a binding treaty and establish a covenant, the provisions of which
shall be sound, inviolable and definite. They must proclaim it to all the world
and obtain for it the sanction of all the human race. This supreme and noble
undertaking -- the real source of the peace and well-being of all the world --
should be regarded as sacred by all that dwell on earth. All the forces of
humanity must be mobilized to ensure the stability and permanence of this Most
Great Covenant. In this all-embracing Pact the limits and frontiers of each and
every nation should be clearly fixed, the principles underlying the relations
of governments towards one another definitely laid down, and all international
agreements and obligations ascertained. In like manner, the size of the
armaments of every government should be strictly limited, for if the
preparations for war and the military forces of any nation should be allowed to
increase, they will arouse the suspicion of others. The fundamental principle
underlying this solemn Pact should be so fixed that if any government later violate
any one of its provisions, all the governments on earth should arise to reduce
it to utter submission, nay the human race as a whole should resolve, with
every power at its disposal, to destroy that government. Should this greatest
of all remedies be applied to the sick body of the world, it will assuredly
recover from its ills and will remain eternally safe and secure.
Observe that if such a happy situation be forthcoming, no
government would need continually to pile up the weapons of war, nor feel
itself obliged to produce ever new military weapons with which to conquer the
human race. A small force for the purposes of internal security, the correction
of criminal and disorderly elements and the prevention of local disturbances,
would be required -- no more. In this way the entire population would, first of
all, be relieved of the crushing burden of expenditure currently imposed for
military purposes, and secondly, great numbers of people would cease to devote
their time to the continual devising of new weapons of destruction -- those
testimonials of greed and bloodthirstiness, so inconsistent with the gift of
life -- and would instead bend their efforts to the production of whatever will
foster human existence and peace and well-being, and would become the cause of
universal development and prosperity. Then every nation on earth will reign in
honour, and every people will be cradled in tranquillity and content.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Secret of Divine Civilization’; Compilations, The Compilation
of Compilations vol II, Peace)
