rejoice not therein. Ye are even as the heedless bird that with entire abandon warbleth upon the bough, when of a sudden the fowler Death doth hurl it upon the dust. Then will no trace remain of its melody, its form or color. Wherefore, take heed, O bond-slaves of passion!
O My Servants! Ye are the trees of My garden; ye must bring forth goodly and wondrous fruits, that ye yourselves and others may profit therefrom. Thus it is encumbent upon everyone to engage in crafts and professions, for therein lies the secret of wealth, O men of understanding! . . . Trees that yield no fruit have been and will ever be fit for fire.
O My Servant! The basest of men are they that yield no fruit upon the earth. They are counted as dead; nay better are the dead in the sight of God than these idle and worthless souls.
(Bahá’u’lláh: Hidden Words)
The source of all good is trust in God, submission unto His command, and contentment with His holy will and pleasure . . . .
True reliance consists in pursuing one’s calling and profession in this world, holding fast unto God and seeking naught but His grace, inasmuch as in His hands is the destiny of His servants. . . .
True courage and power is to promote the Word of God and stand steadfast in His love . . . .
The source of true wealth is love for Me; whoso loveth Me is the possessor of all things, and he that loveth Me not is indeed of the poor and needy. . . .
The essence of faith is fewness of words and abundance of deeds; he whose words exceed his deeds, know verily his death is better than his life. . . .
The root of all learning is the knowledge of God, exalted be His glory, and this can never be attained save through the knowledge of His Divine Manifestation . . . .
The essence of all that We have revealed for thee is Justice—to free one’s self from idle fancy and imitation, to discern with the eye of oneness His glorious handiwork, and look into all things with a searching eye. . . .
(Bahá’u’lláh: Words of Wisdom)
Consider man even as a mine that holdeth stones of precious beauty. Education alone can reveal its treasures and bestow its benefit upon mankind. . . . .
The Lord, exalted be His glory, hath desired naught for Himself. The allegiance of mankind profiteth Him not, neither doth its disobedience bring Him loss. At every moment doth the Bird of the realm of utterance voice the call: “All things have I desired for thee, and thee for thine own self.” Should the worldly-wisemen of the day suffer the peoples of the world to inhale the fragrance of love and unity, then will men of understanding learn the meaning of true liberty and attain unto perfect tranquillity and peace. . . .
Would to God that His grace and bounty may be vouchsafed unto the peoples of the world, that He may guide the kindreds of the earth and direct their steps to the path of His good-pleasure. Behold! Years have passed away and neither the world nor they that dwell therein have yet attained to peace and quiet. At one time they are in the throes of war, at another they fall victims to unforseen afflictions. Woes and tribulations have encompassed the world, and yet no one doth perceive the cause. And if the true Counselor utter a word, they deem Him a stirrer of strife and reject His counsel. Man is bewildered and knoweth not what to think and say. . . .
It is incumbent upon the leaders of the world to observe moderation in all things, and whatsoever exceedeth this will be rendered void of value. Consider: liberty, civilization and the like, though acclaimed by men of learning, will if carried to excess result in the utmost harm. . . .
(Bahá’u’lláh: Epistle to Maqsúd)
