you were both created as veils, so that things that are apparently ugly, whose beauty is not obvious, would be attributed to you, and you would be means of the Most Holy Divine Essence being acknowledged to be free of defect. But you have taken on a form entirely contrary to the duty of your natures. Although out of your incapacity you have transformed good into evil, you as though act as partners to your Creator. That means one who worships himself and worships nature is extremely foolish and perpetrates a great wrong.

And do not say: “I am a place of manifestation, and one who manifests beauty becomes beautiful.” For since you have not assimilated it, you are not a place of manifestation but a place of passage.

And do not say: “Among people I was chosen. These fruits, these fine works, are shown through me. I must therefore have some merit.” No! God forbid! Rather they were given to you first because you are more bankrupt, needy, and sad than everyone else! [^1]

[^1]:Truly, I was extremely pleased at the New Said silencing his soul to this extent in this dispute, and said, A thousand bravo’s!

Second Point

SECOND POINT

This point elucidates one meaning of the verse:

Who has created everything in the best way,(32:7)

and is as follows:

In everything, even the things which appear to be the most ugly, there is an aspect of true beauty. Yes, everything in the universe, every event, is either in itself beautiful, which is called essential beauty, or it is beautiful in regard to its results, which is called relative beauty. There are certain events which are apparently ugly and confused, but beneath that apparent veil reside truly shining instances of beauty and order.

Beneath the veil of stormy rains and muddy soil in the season of spring are hidden the smiles of innumerable beautiful flowers and well-ordered plants. And behind the veils of autumn’s harsh destruction and mournful separations the amiable small animals, the friends of the coy flowers, are discharged from the duties of their lives so as to preserve them from the blows and torments of winter events, which are manifestations of divine might and glory. Under this veil the way is paved for the new and beautiful spring.

Beneath the veil of such events as storms, earthquakes, and plague numerous hidden immaterial flowers unfold. The seeds of many latent potentialities sprout and grow beautiful on account of events which are