In France I was present at a session of the senate, but the
experience was not impressive. Parliamentary procedure should have for its
object the attainment of the light of truth upon questions presented and not
furnish a battleground for opposition and self- opinion. Antagonism and
contradiction are unfortunate and always destructive to truth. In the
parliamentary meeting mentioned, altercation and useless quibbling were
frequent; the result, mostly confusion and turmoil; even in one instance a
physical encounter took place between two members. It was not consultation but
comedy.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a talk; ‘The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks
Delivered by Abdu'l-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in
1912’; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Consultation)
