Understanding the Writings

The understanding of His words and the comprehension of the utterances of the Birds of Heaven are in no wise dependent upon human learning. They depend solely upon purity of heart, chastity of soul, and freedom of spirit.... 

- Baha’u’llah  (‘The Kitáb-i-Íqán’)

Verses of God

Recite ye the verses of God every morning and eventide. Whoso faileth to recite them hath not been faithful to the Covenant of God and His Testament… 

- Baha'u'llah  ('The Kitab-i-Aqdas')

Consultation

The heaven of divine wisdom is illumined with the two luminaries of consultation and compassion. Take ye counsel together in all matters, inasmuch as consultation is the lamp of guidance which leadeth the way, and is the bestower of understanding.

- Baha’u’llah  (‘Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas’; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Peace)

Character

Endeavour to rectify the conduct of men, and seek to excel the whole world in moral character. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (‘Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá’; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Baha’i Education)

God’s care & protection

O God, my God! I have set out from my home, holding fast unto the cord of Thy love, and I have committed myself wholly to Thy care and Thy protection. 

- Baha’u’llah  (‘Prayers and meditations by Baha’u’llah’)

Moderation in “all matters”

In all matters moderation is desirable. If a thing is carried to excess, it will prove a source of evil. 

- Baha’u’llah  (‘Words of Paradise’; Tablets of Baha’u’llah revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas’)

Purpose of our creation

The purpose of God in creating man hath been, and will ever be, to enable him to know his Creator and to attain His Presence. 

- Baha’u’llah  (‘Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah’)

Joy

Let your joy be the joy born of My Most Great Name, a Name that bringeth rapture to the heart, and filleth with ecstasy the minds of all who have drawn nigh unto God. 

- Baha’u’llah  (‘The Kitab-i-Aqdas’)

Deeds & Character

God hath, verily, willed that His Cause should be assisted by the hosts of goodly deeds and a righteous character. 

- Baha’u’llah  (The Compilation of Compilations, Vol. II, Trustworthiness)

Not to exalt oneself above any one

That seeker… must never seek to exalt himself above any one, must wash away from the tablet of his heart every trace of pride and vainglory… 

- Baha'u'llah  (The Kitab-i-Iqan)

Not to “make any heart to sorrow”

Beware lest ye harm any soul, or make any heart to sorrow; lest ye wound any man with your words, be he known to you or a stranger, be he friend or foe. Pray ye for all; ask ye that all be blessed, all be forgiven.

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)

Humility

Humility exalteth man to the heaven of glory and power, whilst pride abaseth him to the depths of wretchedness and degradation. 

- Baha’u’llah  (‘The Epistle to the Son of the Wolf’)

Education of children

Let the mothers… strive by day and by night to establish within their children faith and certitude, the fear of God, the love of the Beloved of the worlds, and all good qualities and traits. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (‘Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá’; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Baha’i Education)

Striving for excellence

Strain every nerve to acquire both inner and outer perfections, for the fruit of the human tree hath ever been and will ever be perfections both within and without. 

- Baha’u’llah  (The Compilation of Compilations, Vol. I, Excellence in All Things)

One’s glory

In the estimation of the people of Bahá man’s glory lieth in his knowledge, his upright conduct, his praiseworthy character, his wisdom, and not in his nationality or rank. 

- Baha’u’llah  (‘Words of Paradise’; Tablets of Baha’u’llah revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas)

Human soul

The soul of man is the sun by which his body is illumined… 

- Baha’u’llah  (‘Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah’)

Involvement in the society

Be anxiously concerned with the needs of the age ye live in, and centre your deliberations on its exigencies and requirements. 

- Baha’u’llah  (‘The Tabernacle of Unity’) 

Love for Baha’u’llah

Make My love thy treasure and cherish it even as thy very sight and life. 

- Baha'u'llah  (The Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah)

To be thoughtful of others

Consort with all men, O people of Bahá, in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship. If ye be aware of a certain truth, if ye possess a jewel, of which others are deprived, share it with them in a language of utmost kindliness and good-will. 

- Bahá’u’lláh  (‘Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh’)

Truthfulness & honesty

Beautify your tongues, O people, with truthfulness, and adorn your souls with the ornament of honesty.  

- Baha’u’llah  (‘Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah’)

Service & virtue

Man’s merit lies in service and virtue and not in the pageantry of wealth and riches. 

- Baha’u’llah  (Lawh-i-Hikmat, Tablets of Baha’u’llah revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas)

Rose of love

In the garden of thy heart plant naught but the rose of love… 

- Baha’u’llah  (‘The Hidden Words of Baha’u’llah’)

Pure heart and tranquil conscience

Create in me a pure heart, O my God, and renew a tranquil conscience within me, O my Hope! 

- Baha’u’llah  (‘Prayers and Meditations of Baha’u’llah’)

How to interact with everyone

Consort with all men, O people of Baha, in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship. 

- Baha'u'llah  (‘Epistle to the Son of the Wolf’)

Love of God

O people of Baha! Ye are the dawning-places of the love of God and the daysprings of His loving-kindness. 

- Baha'u'llah  ('Tablets of Baha'u'llah revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas')

The Word of God

The Word of God may be likened unto a sapling, whose roots have been implanted in the hearts of men. It is incumbent upon you to foster its growth through the living waters of wisdom, of sanctified and holy words… 

- Baha'u'llah  (Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah)

Our duty…

It is your duty to be exceedingly kind to every human being, and to wish him well; to work for the upliftment of society; to blow the breath of life into the dead; to act in accordance with the instructions of Bahá’u’lláh and walk His path—until ye change the world of man into the world of God. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)

Inner peace

O Son of Spirit! There is no peace for thee save by renouncing thyself and turning unto Me… 

- Baha’u’llah  ('The Hidden Words of Baha’u’llah’)

“bring joy and happiness to the hearts”

As much as ye can, bring joy and happiness to the hearts and seek felicity for all humankind. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (quoted by the Universal House of Justice in a message dated Naw-Ruz 2015 to the Baha’is of Iran)

Not to mention the sins of others

O Son of Man! Breathe not the sins of others so long as thou art thyself a sinner. 

- Baha’u’llah  (‘The Hidden Words of Baha’u’llah’)