"O Children of Vainglory! For a fleeting sovereignty ye have abandoned My imperishable dominion, and have adorned yourselves with the gay livery of the world and made of it your boast. By My beauty! All will I gather beneath the one-colored covering of the dust and efface all these diverse colors save them that choose My own, and that is purging from every color."
-Baha’u’llah, The Hidden Words
2007-10-29 17:40:13 · 9 answers · asked by Gravitar or not... 5 in Education & Reference ➔ Quotations
Many people have vastly different perspectives on this...
To me it means to forget all temporary things except in the time and place they are most useful to help understand the eternal truths. Purging from every color to me, means to eliminate all special preference not fitting the situation, i.e. to be rid of prejudice/biased judgment.
2007-10-29 18:11:42 · update #1
Mothers left by children whatever the distance from her will learn to go back to their sweet homes.
Thanks for asking. Have a great day!
2007-10-29 18:02:08 · answer #1 · answered by Third P 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
O children of vainglory - means - this is addressed to all the children who have left the rules they were taught and are following rules that say dress up the outside and forget about what is inside - sort of like celebrities that dress up and don't have a soul.
For a fleeting sovereignty ye have abandoned My imperishable dominion, and have adorned yourselves with the gay livery of the world and made of it your boast.
means:
To be beautiful for a short time (like prom king/queen, a beautiful bride, etc) you have given up the "imperishable dominion" or a lifetime of being in control by being a good leader, or a diligent worker who works hard and feeds their family. Instead you are dressed up as if for a big party like Mardi Gras and boast of your beauty as your best feature.
By My beauty! All will I gather beneath the one-colored covering of the dust and efface all these diverse colors save them that choose My own, and that is purging from every color."
I will gather around me all those who reflect my plain beauty
that is the color of dust - and we will all not be influenced by those who wear multicolors (as in the first part of the statement)
It sounds like the statement a religious leader makes to the flock - saying don't give up on our faith by believing in those who want to look good on the outside but forget to tend to the inside. Instead, the leader says, come back to me and we can lead a good life by being good people, not just flashy people.
good luck
2007-10-29 19:46:08 · answer #2 · answered by barb 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
O children of vain glory sounds queer to me. It has a twofold message in it. One could be between a man and a woman and the other one between two men. The first one I would assume the person that is in love has great authority and dominion and he knows all this is to his/her advantage. So he does boast but its almost as if it's biblical compared to King Solomon. All is vain because all things comes to an end. Which explains why all will gather beneath the one color of dust.
The second thought would be based on the word gay and abondoned imperishable dominion and world. By my beauty could mean that he loves his own kind instead of the opposite sexes. Beneath the one color could be many colors symbolizing gay and happy. So he/she chooses own and purges from every other color which could mean opposite sexes.
2007-10-29 18:01:32 · answer #3 · answered by honest1 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm guessing this if for a school assignment. It sorta sounds ridiculous, but I will give you my take on it. It sounds like a parent crying out to their child or children that they have taken on the wordily things and strayed away from the things that are good and the parent is pleading them to purge themselves from the wicked ways and come back into the good ways.... Good luck
2007-10-29 17:46:55 · answer #4 · answered by carmella 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It seems he feels fear makes a better foundation than fidelity with coherent reality, i.e. not much science nor empathy with doubt with facts.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erick_Erickson
hope- Basic Trust vs. Mistrust
will- Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
purpose- Initiative vs. Guilt
competence- Industry vs. Inferiority
fidelity- Identity vs. Role Confusion
love (in intimate relationships, work and family)- Intimacy vs. Isolation
caring- Generativity vs. Stagnation
wisdom- Ego Integrity vs. Despair
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erick_Erickson
2007-10-30 15:04:30 · answer #5 · answered by Psyengine 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not to pursue the perishable vain things of this life i.e.
The enticements of "The World, The Flesh and the Devil".
But seek a higher path.
2007-10-29 17:44:42 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
i think its about children leaving the home with pride and lust for life so to speak . and it makes a recolection into its own time of doing this and how he has seen the result leave him.
and i hope im not that off.
2007-10-29 17:44:03 · answer #7 · answered by pocho 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Thoughts I gather:
He is speaking to his people
He is no longer in control; he has lost control
He is upset, because people are happy with their lives
He has no fear, but is afraid.....
He is a lost soul in search of desire....full of sin...and will take whatever it does not matter...despiration
2007-10-29 17:45:49 · answer #8 · answered by Promoqueen in CA 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hahaha - I'm so glad I'm out of school
2007-10-29 17:43:09 · answer #9 · answered by Chloe 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋