| 1 |
Čast i uzvišenost svakog postojećeg bića ovisi o uzrocima i okolnostima. |
The honor and exaltation of every existing being depends upon causes and circumstances. |
| 2 |
Izvrsnost, urešenost i savršenstvo zemlje jest u tome da bude zelena i plodna uz pomoć milosti proljetnih oblaka. Biljke rastu; cvijeće i mirisne trave niču; plodonosna stabla puna su cvjetova i daju svježe i novo voće. Vrtovi postaju prekrasni, a livade urešene; planine i ravnice ogrnute u zeleno ruho, a vrtovi, polja, sela i gradovi ukrašeni. To je blagostanje mineralnog svijeta. |
The excellency, the adornment and the perfection of the earth is to be verdant and fertile through the bounty of the clouds of springtime. Plants grow; flowers and fragrant herbs spring up; fruit-bearing trees become full of blossoms and bring forth fresh and new fruit. Gardens become beautiful, and meadows adorned; mountains and plains are clad in a green robe, and gardens, fields, villages and cities are decorated. This is the prosperity of the mineral world. |
| 3 |
Visina uzvišenosti i savršenstvo biljnog svijeta jest u tome da drvo treba rasti na obali rijeke, da ga njiše blagi lahor, da ga grije sunčeva toplina, da se vrtlar brine za njegov uzgoj i da se ono iz dana u dan treba razvijati i davati plodove. No njegovo istinsko blagostanje je u napredovanju prema životinjskom i ljudskom svijetu i zamjeni onoga što se iscrpilo u tijelima životinja i ljudi. |
The height of exaltation and the perfection of the vegetable world is that a tree should grow on the bank of a stream of fresh water, that a gentle breeze should blow on it, that the warmth of the sun should shine on it, that a gardener should attend to its cultivation, and that day by day it should develop and yield fruit. But its real prosperity is to progress into the animal and human world, and replace that which has been exhausted in the bodies of animals and men. |
| 4 |
Uzvišenje životinjskog svijeta je u posjedovanju savršenih dijelova, organa i osjetila i u zadovoljenju svih njegovih potreba. To je njegova najveća slava, čast i uzvišenost. Proizlazi da je najveća sreća neke životinje u posjedovanju zelene i plodne livade, savršeno čiste tekuće vode i prekrasne zelene šume. Ako joj se sve to pruži, ona ne može zamisliti većeg blagostanja. Na primjer, ako ptica sagradi svoje gnijezdo u zelenoj plodnoj šumi, na lijepom visokom mjestu, na snažnom stablu i na vrhu visoke grane, te ako otkrije sjeme koje joj je potrebno i vodu, to je njezino savršeno blagostanje. |
The exaltation of the animal world is to possess perfect members, organs and powers, and to have all its needs supplied. This is its chief glory, its honor and exaltation. So the supreme happiness of an animal is to have possession of a green and fertile meadow, perfectly pure flowing water, and a lovely, verdant forest. If these things are provided for it, no greater prosperity can be imagined. For example, if a bird builds its nest in a green and fruitful forest, in a beautiful high place, upon a strong tree, and at the top of a lofty branch, and if it finds all it needs of seeds and water, this is its perfect prosperity. |
| 5 |
No, istinsko blagostanje životinji čini prelazak iz životinjskoga svijeta u ljudski svijet, poput mikroskopskih bića, koja zrakom i vodom ulaze u čovjeka i bivaju asimilirana, te zamjenjuju ono što je potrošeno u njegovu tijelu. To je velika čast i blagostanje za životinjski svijet; veća čast za njih ne može se zamisliti. |
But real prosperity for the animal consists in passing from the animal world to the human world, like the microscopic beings that, through the water and air, enter into man and are assimilated, and replace that which has been consumed in his body. This is the great honor and prosperity for the animal world; no greater honor can be conceived for it. |
| 6 |
Stoga, jasno je i očevidno da to bogatstvo, ta ugoda i to materijalno obilje čine potpuno blagostanje za minerale, biljke i životinje. Nikakva bogatstva, udobnost ili ugoda materijalnog svijeta nisu ravni bogatstvu jedne ptice; sva područja ovih ravnica i planina njezino su obitavalište, a svo sjemenje i žetve njezina su hrana i bogatstvo, sva tla, sela, livade, pašnjaci, šume i divljina njezino su vlasništvo. Tko je onda bogatiji – ova ptica ili najimućniji čovjek? Jer ma koliko mnogo sjemenja ona uzela ili joj bilo dano, njezino se bogatstvo ne smanjuje. |
Therefore, it is evident and clear that this wealth, this comfort and this material abundance form the complete prosperity of minerals, vegetables and animals. No riches, wealth, comfort or ease of the material world is equal to the wealth of a bird; all the areas of these plains and mountains are its dwelling, and all the seeds and harvests are its food and wealth, and all the lands, villages, meadows, pastures, forests and wildernesses are its possessions. Now, which is the richer, this bird, or the most wealthy man? for no matter how many seeds it may take or bestow, its wealth does not decrease. |
| 7 |
Jasno je onda da čast i uzvišenost čovjeku mora biti nešto više od materijalnih bogatstava. Materijalna udobnost samo je jedna grana, no korijen uzvišenijeg položaja čovjeka jesu dobri pridjevci i vrline koji su ukrasi njegove stvarnosti. To su božanske pojave, nebeska blaga, najuzvišeniji osjećaji, ljubav prema Bogu i spoznaja Boga; univerzalna mudrost, intelektualno opažanje, znanstvena otkrića, pravda, ravnopravnost, pravičnost, istinoljubivost, dobronamjernost, prirodna hrabrost i unutarnja čvrstina: poštivanje prava i pridržavanje ugovora i pogodbi; čestitost u svim okolnostima; služenje istini u svim uvjetima; žrtvovanje života za dobrobit svih ljudi; ljubaznost i poštovanje svih naroda; pokoravanje učenjima Božjim; služba u Božanskom kraljevstvu; vodstvo ljudi i obrazovanje nacija i rasa. To je blagostanje ljudskog svijeta! To je uzvišenje čovjeka u svijetu! To je život vječni i nebeska čast! |
Then it is clear that the honor and exaltation of man must be something more than material riches. Material comforts are only a branch, but the root of the exaltation of man is the good attributes and virtues which are the adornments of his reality. These are the divine appearances, the heavenly bounties, the sublime emotions, the love and knowledge of God; universal wisdom, intellectual perception, scientific discoveries, justice, equity, truthfulness, benevolence, natural courage and innate fortitude; the respect for rights and the keeping of agreements and covenants; rectitude in all circumstances; serving the truth under all conditions; the sacrifice of one’s life for the good of all people; kindness and esteem for all nations; obedience to the teachings of God; service in the Divine Kingdom; the guidance of the people, and the education of the nations and races. This is the prosperity of the human world! This is the exaltation of man in the world! This is eternal life and heavenly honor! |
| 8 |
Te vrline ne pojavljuju se u stvarnosti čovjekovoj osim uz pomoć Božje moći i božanskih učenja, jer one za svoju objavu trebaju nadnaravnu moć. Može se dogoditi da se u svijetu prirode pojave tragovi tih savršenstava, ali oni su nesigurni i prolazni; oni su poput sunčevih zraka na zidu. |
These virtues do not appear from the reality of man except through the power of God and the divine teachings, for they need supernatural power for their manifestation. It may be that in the world of nature a trace of these perfections may appear, but they are unstable and ephemeral; they are like the rays of the sun upon the wall. |
| 9 |
Budući da je suosjećajni Bog stavio tako veličanstvenu krunu na čovjekovu glavu, čovjek bi morao težiti tome da njezine blistave dragulje učini vidljivima u svijetu. |
As the compassionate God has placed such a wonderful crown upon the head of man, man should strive that its brilliant jewels may become visible in the world. |
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Drugi dio
NEKE KRŠĆANSKE TEME |
Part Two
SOME CHRISTIAN SUBJECTS |
