O FAIR IN SEMBLANCE YET INWARDLY FOUL! Ye are even as clear yet bitter water which to outward seeming is crystal pure but when proved by the Divine Assayer not a drop thereof shall be accepted. Yea, the sunbeam falleth alike upon the mirror and the dust, yet differ they in reflection even as doth the star from the earth, nay immeasurable is the difference!   (Hidden Words: Bahá’u’lláh.)

O SON OF DUST! All that is in heaven and on earth I have destined for thee except the hearts of men which I have made the habitation of My beauty and glory; yet thou didst give My home and dwelling to another than Me. And whensoever the manifestation of My holiness repaired unto His abode a stranger found He there, and, homeless, hastened unto the sanctuary of the Beloved. Notwithstanding, I revealed not thy secret and desired not thy shame.   (Hidden Words: Bahá’u’lláh.)

O CHILDREN OF DUST! Tell the rich of the midnight sighing of the poor lest negligence lead them unto destruction and deprive them of their share of the Tree of wealth. Bounty and Generosity are attributes of Mine; well is it with him that adorneth himself with My attributes.   (Hidden Words: Bahá’u’lláh.)

O RICH ONES OF THE EARTH! The poor among you are My trust; guard ye My trust, and be not wholly occupied with your own ease.   (Hidden Words: Bahá’u’lláh.)

O MY FRIEND! Thou art the day-star of the heavens of My holiness, let not the defilement of the world eclipse thy splendour. Rend asunder the veil of negligence, that from behind the clouds thou mayest emerge resplendent and adorn all beings with the robe of Life.   (Hidden Words: Bahá’u’lláh.)

O CHILDREN OF NEGLIGENCE! Set not your affections on mortal sovereignty and 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 colour. Wherefore, take heed, O bond-slaves of passion!   (Hidden Words: Bahá’u’lláh.)

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.   (Hidden Words: Bahá’u’lláh.)

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.   (Hidden Words: Bahá’u’lláh.)

The source of all good is trust in God, submission unto His command, and contentment with His holy will and pleasure. . .