ones of the Merciful amongst men and the ministers of God to all that dwell on earth. It is incumbent upon them to take counsel together and care for the interests of the servants of God, for His sake, even as they care for their own and to choose that which God hath chosen. . . .
O servants of the Merciful! Arise to serve the Cause of God in such wise that cares and sorrows caused by them that have disbelieved in the Day-spring of the signs of God may not afflict you. . . . Lament not in your hours of trial, neither rejoice therein; seek ye the middle way which is remembrance of Me in your afflictions and meditate on that which may hereafter befall you. . . .
True liberty lies in observing My commandments, did ye but know. Were men to follow that which We have revealed unto them from the heaven of Revelation, they would of a certainty attain unto absolute freedom. Well is it with him that hath known the purpose of God in that which hath been revealed from the heaven of His will that transcendeth an mankind. Say: the liberty that profiteth you is to be found only in servitude to God, the True One, and whoso hath tasted the sweetness thereof will never barter it for all the dominion of heaven and earth. . .
(Bahá’u’lláh: Kitáb-i-Aqdas.)
O people of Bahá! Be as the cloud that from you may be showered that which will refresh and animate the earth . . . .
Ponder God in your heart, reflect on His Manifestations, and be not of them that are devoid of understanding. . . .
I came not to proclaim that which ye already possess. Verily, verily, this day is a new day; He that hath come is the Wondrous, and His bidding the wonder of all that is in heaven and on earth . . . .
We have desired naught for ourselves, but desired for you that which will profit you in the Kingdom of God, the Gracious, the All-bountiful. . . .
Glory is not his that proclaimeth his faith, but glory is his that doeth that which the All-merciful hath revealed in His wondrous Book. . . .
O people of the world! Hearken to the call of the Lord, the King of eternity. He biddeth you to follow righteousness, to do that which giveth you peace and exalteth your station. He verily is the faithful Counselor. . . .
Regard not the world and its fleeting shadows, but fix your gaze upon God and His signs that have encompassed all creation . . . .
Detachment is as the sun; in whatsoever heart it doth shine it quencheth the fire of covetousness and self. He whose sight is illumined with the light of understanding will assuredly detach himself from the world and the vanities thereof .. . .
Let not the world and its vileness grieve you. Happy is he whom riches fill not with vain-glory, nor poverty with sorrow . . . .
O concourse of rulers! Turn unto the poor; verily God hath created them and you from the selfsame substance. Let a portion of your wealth be shared by them. This is that which will profit you throughout all times and ages. Bestow a part of that which God in His grace hath given you; for thereby will your wealth be increased. . . .
Unfaithful is the world. Were it worthy of regard or acceptable in the sight of God, they that were the Manifestations of Justice would not have fallen victims to the talons of tyranny. What greater proof of the baseness of the world and its degradation in the eyes of the Almighty! . . .
Exalted is the station of man, if he be adorned with the true attributes of humanity; otherwise he is counted as the basest of all creatures. . . .
O My loved ones ! Ye are the world’s spiritual physicians. It is incumbent upon you, through the power and might of God, to heal by the sovereign remedy of the Most Great Name the soul-sickness of the kindreds of the earth and clarify the vision of all mankind. . . .