The Bahá’í World
Volume 1 : 1925-1926
164BAHÁ’Í YEAR BOOK 
must be taught a profession or trade so that each individual member of the body politic will be enabled to earn his own living and at the same time serve the community . . . From this universal system of education misunderstandings will be expelled from amongst the children of men.   (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in “Bahá’í Scriptures,” v. 574.
BAHÁ’U’LLÁH has announced that inasmuch as ignorance and lack of education are barriers of separation among mankind, all must receive training and instruction. Through this provision the lack of mutual understanding will be remedied and the unity of mankind furthered and advanced. Universal education is a universal law. It is therefore incumbent upon every father to teach and instruct his children according to his possibilities. If he is unable to educate them, the body politic, the representative of the people must provide the means for their education.   (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in “Promulgation of Universal Peace,” p. 294.)
THE NECESSITY OF education for all mankind is evident. Children especially must be trained and taught. . . . Through the broadening spirit of education, illiteracy will disappear and misunderstandings due to ignorance will pass away . . . . He (Bahá’u’lláh) has proclaimed the principle that all mankind shall be educated and that no illiteracy be allowed to remain. This practical remedy for the need of the world cannot be found in the text of any other sacred books.   (‘Abdu’l-Bahá in “Promulgation of Universal Peace.”)
THE PROPHETS OF GOD are the first Educators. They bestow universal education upon man and cause him to rise from the lowest levels of savagery to the highest pinnacles of spiritual development. The philosophers, too, are educators along lines of intellectual training. At most they have only been able to educate themseves and a limited number about them, to improve their own morals and, so to speak, civilize themselves; but they have been incapable of universal education. They have failed to cause an advancement for any given nation from savagery to civilization.
It is evident that although education improves the morals of mankind, confers the advantages of civilization and elevates man from lowest degrees to the station of sublimity, there is nevertheless a difference in the intrinsic or natal capacity of individuals. Ten children of the same age, with equal station of birth, taught in the same school, partaking of the same food, in all respects subject to the same environment, their interests equal and in common, will evidence separate and distinct degrees of capability and advancement; some exceedingly intelligent and progressive, some of mediocre ability, others limited and incapable. One may become a learned professor while another under the same course of education proves dull and stupid. From all standpoints the opportunities have been equal but the results and outcomes vary from the highest to lowest degree of advancement. It is evident therefore that mankind differs in natal capacity and intrinsic intellectual endowment. Nevertheless although capacities are not the same, every member of the human race is capable of education . . . . . the holy Manifestations of God, the Divine Prophets are the first teachers of the human race. They are universal Educators and the fundamental principles they have laid down are the causes and factors of the advancement of nations.   (‘Abdu’l-Bahá in “Promulgation of Universal Peace.”)