Gleanings — Paragraph 121
Source (Arabic)
انتاب در مرایا و مجالی که از زنگ و غبار شئونات بشری تیره و مظلم گشته مخفی و مهجور است حال این شمع و سراج را افروزندهئی باید و این مرایا و مجالی را صیقلدهندهئی شاید و واضح است که تا ناری مشتعل ظاهر نشود هرگز سراج نیفروزد و تا آیینه از زنگ و غبار ممتاز نگردد صورت و مثال و تجلّی و اشراق شمس بیامس در او منطبع نشود و چون مابین خلق
Translation
These energies with which the Daystar of Divine bounty and Source of heavenly guidance hath endowed the reality of man lie, however, latent within him, even as the flame is hidden within the candle and the rays of light are potentially present in the lamp. The radiance of these energies may be obscured by worldly desires even as the light of the sun can be concealed beneath the dust and dross which cover the mirror. Neither the candle nor the lamp can be lighted through their own unaided efforts, nor can it ever be possible for the mirror to free itself from its dross. It is clear and evident that until a fire is kindled the lamp will never be ignited, and unless the dross is blotted out from the face of the mirror it can never represent the image of the sun nor reflect its light and glory.