Abdu'l-Baha

“ To acquire knowledge is incumbent on all, but of those sciences which may profit the people of the earth, and not such sciences as begin in mere words and end in mere words. The possessors of sciences and arts have a great right among the people of the world. Whereunto testifies the Mother of Divine Utterance in the Day of Return. Joy unto those who hear!
Indeed the real treasure of man is his knowledge. Knowledge is the means of honor, prosperity, joy, gladness, happiness and exultation. ”

“ Turn your eyes away from foreignness and gaze unto Oneness, and hold fast unto the means which conduce to the tranquility and security of the people of the whole world. This span-wide world is but one native land and one locality. Abandon that glory which is the cause of discord and turn unto that which promotes harmony. To the people of Baha glory is in knowledge, good deeds, good morals and wisdom, not in native land or station. ”

“ Trustworthiness is the greatest door to the security and tranquility of mankind. The stability of every affair always depends on it, and the worlds of honor, glory and affluence are illuminated by its light."
Sincerity and Faithfulness. "O friends of God, verily the Pen of Sincerity enjoineth on you the greatest faithfulness. By the Life of God, its light is more evident than the light of the sun! In its light and its brightness and its radiance every light is eclipsed. We desire of God that He will not withhold from His cities and lands the radiant effulgence of the sun of Faithfulness." ”

“ Yet do we see your kings and rulers lavishing their treasures more freely on means for the destruction of the human race than on that which would conduce to the happiness of mankind. These strifes and this bloodshed and discord must cease, and all men be as one kindred and one family. Let not a man glory in this, that he loves his country; let him rather glory in this, that he loves his kind. ”

“ Be thou a dew to the fertile and rich ground, an ark to the sea of science, a star in the heaven of generosity, a diadem to the head of wisdom, a white spot on the forehead of time, and a fruit of the tree of humbleness. ”

“ The followers of Sincerity and Faithfulness must consort with all the people of the world with joy and fragrance; for association is always conducive to union and harmony, and union and harmony are the cause of the order of the world and the life of nations. ”

“ The people of wealth and men of honor and power must have the best possible regard and respect for Religion. Religion is a manifest light and a strong fortress for the protection and tranquility of the people of the world. ”

“ God has imposed on every town the erection of a House of Justice where men are to assemble according to the number of Baha (if they surpass this number it matters little) . They should figure to themselves that they are in God's presence, and see what is invisible. They should be divine agents in the casual world, the representatives of God for those who are on earth, and defend for love of God the interests of His servants as they would defend their own. ”

“ What The Rich Men Should Do. "O children of dust, let the rich learn the midnight sighing of the poor, lest negligence destroy them and they be deprived of their portion of the tree of wealth. O ye who are wealthy on earth, the poor among ye are my trust, therefore guard my trust, and be not wholly occupied with your own ease." ”

“ If thou lookest toward Justice, choose thou for others what thou choosest for thyself. Verily, through mercy man is elevated to the heaven of power; and again, pride degrades him to the lowest station of humiliation and abasement. ”

“ Be silent among multitudes of men, and upright in giving decisions. Be humble toward men, be a lamp in darkness, a comforter in troubles, a sea to the thirsty, a refuge to the afflicted, a helper, assistant and succor to the oppressed. ”

“ Fear ye the sighs of the oppressed and his tears, and do not burden your subjects above that which they can bear, neither ruin them to build your palaces. Choose for them that which ye choose for yourselves; thus do we expound unto you that which will profit you, if ye are of those who enquire."
Universal Peace. "The Ministers (Counsellors, i. e., members) of the House of Justice must promote the Most Great Peace, in order that the world may be free from onerous expenditures. This matter is obligatory and indispensable; for warfare and conflict are the foundation of trouble and distress." ”

“ It has been our aim to uplift men through exalted Words unto the Supreme Horizon and prepare them to hearken unto that which conduces to the santifying and purifying of the people of the world from the strife and discord resulting from differences in religions or sects. ”

“ Advice to Rich People. 'O ye rich people! When ye see a poor man do not grow proud and haughty and despise him, but think from what ye were created.
"Do ye imagine that ye will be profited by what ye have? It will be possessed by some one in your stead, and ye shall return to the dust without finding any one to succor or help. Of what use is a life that is ruled by death, or a duration which vanisheth, or a grace that changeth? ”

“ Idleness Condemned. "Waste not your time in idleness and slothfulness, but occupy yourself with that whereby you will profit yourselves and others."
Begging Prohibited. "The most despised of men before God is he who sits and begs. Cling unto the rope of means, relying upon God, the Causer of Causes. Every soul who occupies himself in an art or trade — this will be accounted an act of Worship before God. ”

“ Be generous when in affluence and grateful when thou art poor. Be faithful to the rights of others. Let thy face be bright and open and be a treasure to the poor and needy. Be an admonisher to the rich, and an answerer to those who call on thee. ”

“ Be patient in misfortunes and contented in all aspects. In truth be firm and unwavering; be quick in doing good deeds; be assiduous toward God; be a veiler of people's faults; be an avoider of lust. Be a runner after the truth ”

“ Respect and Love for True Philosophers and Scientists. "This Oppressed One hath loved and loves the philosophers, that is — those whose philosophy hath not been mere words, but who have produced lasting results and fruits in the world. ”

“ The weakness of the pillars of Religion has encouraged the ignorant and rendered them audacious and arrogant. Truly, I say, whatever lowers the lofty station of religion will increase heedlessness in the wicked, and finally result in anarchy. ”

“ The Third Ishrak commands the executing of the penal laws, for this is the primary means for the maintenance of the world. The heaven of Divine Wisdom is illumined and shining with two orbs — Consultation and Kindness. ”

“ Victory Over One's Own Heart. "Every one who desireth victory must first subdue the city of his own heart with the sword of spiritual truth and of the Word, and must protect it from remembering aught besides God ”

“ Intoxicants Forbidden. "It is forbidden to drink that which will destroy the mind. Every rational being should do that which befitteth a man, and not that which is practiced by the careless and heedless." ”

“ School Funds. "Men and women must place a part of what they earn by trade, agriculture, or other business, in charge of a trustworthy person, to be spent in the education and instruction of the children. ”

“ Work Identical with Prayer. "It is made incumbent on every one of you to engage in some one occupation, such as arts, trades, and the like. We have made this — your occupation — identical with the worship of God, the True One. ”

“ Causes of Human Greatness and Downfall. "Verily man becomes lofty through his trustworthiness, chastity, judgment and virtues, and falleth through treachery, falsehood, folly and hypocrisy."
Man Must Show Fruits. "Man must show forth fruits. ”

“ Working for the Removal of Religious Prejudice. "O unitarians, make firm the girdle of endeavor, that perchance religious strife and conflict may be removed from amongst the people of the world and be annulled. ”