Why is that which manifests always greater than that which is manifested? The root of the rose tree produces many thousands of roses. They blossom and fade, but the root remains. The root is called greater, but if it had not produced the roses it could not be called great. That from which all manifestation comes, is greater than the manifestation, but if it were not for all the universe, it could not be called great, the Allah-ho-akbar.