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11/30/10

We should “observe moderation in all things”

Whatsoever passeth beyond the limits of moderation will cease to exert a beneficial influence. (Baha'u'llah, 'Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah')

11/24/10

The fundamental purpose of God’s religion is “to safeguard the interests and promote the unity of the human race, and to foster the spirit of love and fellowship amongst men.”

The fundamental purpose animating the Faith of God and His Religion is to safeguard the interests and promote the unity of the human race, and to foster the spirit of love and fellowship amongst men. Suffer it not to become a source of dissension and discord, of hate and enmity. This is the straight Path, the fixed and immovable foundation. Whatsoever is raised on this foundation, the changes and chances of the world can never impair its strength, nor will the revolution of countless centuries undermine its structure. (Baha'u'llah, 'Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah')

11/21/10

To be worthy of the trust of one's neighbor

Be worthy of the trust of thy neighbor, and look upon him with a bright and friendly face. (Baha’u’llah, 'Epistle to the Son of the Wolf')

11/19/10

“A good character is …the most excellent and praiseworthy of all things”

A good character is in the sight of God and His chosen ones and the possessors of insight, the most excellent and praiseworthy of all things, but always on condition that its center of emanation should be reason and knowledge and its base should be true moderation. (Abdu'l-Baha, The Secret of Divine Civilization)

11/18/10

We shouldn’t content with any one

Beware lest ye contend with any one, nay, strive to make him aware of the truth with kindly manner and most convincing exhortation. If your hearer respond, he will have responded to his own behoof, and if not, turn ye away from him, and set your faces towards God's sacred Court, the seat of resplendent holiness. (Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah; Compilation of Compilations, vol. 3)

11/16/10

There “can be no extremes in human conditions as regards wealth and sustenance.”

One of Bahá'u'lláh's teachings is the adjustment of means of livelihood in human society. Under this adjustment there can be no extremes in human conditions as regards wealth and sustenance. For the community needs financier, farmer, merchant and laborer just as an army must be composed of commander, officers and privates. All cannot be commanders; all cannot be officers or privates. Each in his station in the social fabric must be competent -- each in his function according to ability but with justness of opportunity for all. (Abdu'l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 216)

11/10/10

“..no one should exalt himself over the other.”

O Children of Men! Know ye not why We created you all from the same dust? That no one should exalt himself over the other. Ponder at all times in your hearts how ye were created. Since We have created you all from one same substance it is incumbent on you to be even as one soul, to walk with the same feet, eat with the same mouth and dwell in the same land, that from your inmost being, by your deeds and actions, the signs of oneness and the essence of detachment may be made manifest. Such is My counsel to you, O concourse of light! Heed ye this counsel that ye may obtain the fruit of holiness from the tree of wondrous glory. (Baha’u’llah, ‘The Hidden Words of Bahá'u'lláh’; The Compilation of Compilations vol II, p. 357)

11/5/10

“The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established.”

God's purpose in sending His Prophets unto men is twofold. The first is to liberate the children of men from the darkness of ignorance, and guide them to the light of true understanding. The second is to ensure the peace and tranquillity of mankind, and provide all the means by which they can be established. (Baha’u’llah, ‘Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh’ pp. 79-80; The Compilation of Compilations vol II, p. 151)

The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established. This unity can never be achieved so long as the counsels which the Pen of the Most High hath revealed are suffered to pass unheeded. (Baha’u’llah, ‘Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh’, p. 286; The Compilation of Compilations vol II, p. 153)

11/4/10

“Every religion of the past was fit to become universal”

In the "Bayan" the Báb says that every religion of the past was fit to become universal. The only reason why they failed to attain that mark was the incompetence of their followers. He then proceeds to give a definite promise that this would not be the fate of the revelation of "Him Whom God would make manifest" [Baha'u'llah], that it will become universal and include all the people of the world. (From a letter dated 20 February 1932 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, The Compilation of Compilations vol II, p. 4)