Consider ... the revelation of the light of the Name of God,
the Educator. Behold, how in all things the evidences of such a revelation are
manifest, how the betterment of all beings dependeth upon it. This education is
of two kinds. The one is universal. Its influence pervadeth all things and
sustaineth them. It is for this reason that God hath assumed the title,
"Lord of all worlds". The other is confined to them that have come
under the shadow of this Name, and sought the shelter of this most mighty Revelation.
They, however, that have failed to seek this shelter, have deprived themselves
of this privilege, and are powerless to benefit from the spiritual sustenance
that hath been sent down through the heavenly grace of this Most Great Name.
How great the gulf fixed between the one and the other!... (Baha’u’llah,
‘Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh’; The Compilation of Compilations,
vol. I, Baha’i Education)
*********
Teach ye your children so that they may peruse the divine
verses every morn and eve. God hath prescribed unto every father to educate his
children, both boys and girls, in the sciences and in morals, and in crafts and
professions.... (Bahá'u'lláh, from a Tablet; The Compilation of Compilations,
vol. 1, Extracts from the Writings concerning arts and crafts)
From ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
The foundation of the Kingdom of God is laid upon justice, fairness, mercy, sympathy and kindness to every soul. Then strive ye with heart and soul to practice love and kindness to the world of humanity at large, except to those souls who are selfish and insincere. It is not advisable to show kindness to a person who is a tyrant, a traitor or a thief because kindness encourages him to become worse and does not awaken him. The more kindness you show to a liar the more he is apt to lie, for he thinks that you know not, while you do know, but extreme kindness keeps you from revealing your knowledge. (‘Abdu'l-Bahá, ‘Baha'i World Faith’)
*********
Do ye not look upon the beginning of the affairs; attach
your hearts to the ends and results. The present period is like unto the sowing
time. Undoubtedly it is impregnated with perils and difficulties, but in the
future many a harvest shall be gathered and benefits and results will become
apparent. When one considers the issue and the end, inexhaustible joy and
happiness will dawn.
Live thou as far as thou art able according to the divine commands and advices, because they are conducive to eternal life. (‘Abdu'l-Baha, Tablets of Abdu'l-Bahá vol. 2)