What to see in each other

One must see in every human being only that which is worthy of praise.

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

Virtues to cultivate

Adorn your heads with the garlands of trustworthiness and fidelity, your hearts with the attire of the Fear of God, your tongues with absolute truthfulness, your bodies with the vesture of courtesy. 

- Baha'u'llah  ('The Kitab-i-Aqdas)

The purpose of God in creating a human being

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’; Ruhi Book 5)

Essential qualities for those who take counsel together

The prime requisites for them that take counsel together are purity of motive, radiance of spirit, detachment from all else save God, attraction to His Divine Fragrances, humility and lowliness amongst His loved ones, patience and long-suffering in difficulties and servitude to His exalted Threshold. 

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

To do some good to every person one meets

Let each one of God's loved ones… do some good to every person whose path he crosseth, and be of some benefit to him. Let him improve the character of each and all, and reorient the minds of men. 

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

"be a lesson for others."

By good deeds, pure lives, humility and meekness be a lesson for others. 

(‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’, vol. 1)

To remember one’s own faults and not the faults of others

O Emigrants! The tongue I have designed for the mention of Me, defile it not with detraction. If the fire of self overcome you, remember your own faults and not the faults of My creatures, inasmuch as every one of you knoweth his own self better than he knoweth others.  

(Baha'u'llah, ‘The Hidden Words of Baha’u’llah’)

“Love is the source of all the bestowals of God”

Love is the source of all the bestowals of God. Until love takes possession of the heart, no other divine bounty can be revealed in it. 

(‘Abdu’l-Baha, from a talk, New York, 14 April 1912; ‘The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912’)

A characteristic of the “people of God”

They who are the people of God have no ambition except to revive the world, to ennoble its life, and regenerate its peoples. 

(Baha’u’llah, ‘Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah'; Ruhi Book 5) 

Things to center one’s thoughts on

Do not busy yourselves in your own concerns; let your thoughts be fixed upon that which will rehabilitate the fortunes of mankind and sanctify the hearts and souls of men. 

(Baha’u’llah, ‘Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah'; Ruhi Book 5)

We must “must shine out like a lighted taper”

…a Bahá'í is one who embodieth all the perfections,... he must shine out like a lighted taper… 

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

“to perceive with the eye of God”

Verily I say! No one hath apprehended the root of this Cause. It is incumbent upon everyone, in this day, to perceive with the eye of God, and to hearken with His ear. Whoso beholdeth Me with an eye besides Mine own will never be able to know Me. 

(Baha’u’llah, quoted by Shoghi Effendi in ‘The Advent of Divine Justice’)

Conceal the sins of others

If ye become aware of a sin committed by another, conceal it, that God may conceal your own sin. He, verily, is the Concealer, the Lord of grace abounding. 

(Baha'u'llah, from a Tablet addressed to Napoleon III, ‘The Summons of the Lord of Hosts’) 

To become “a source of social good”

…the honor and distinction of the individual consist in this, that he among all the world's multitudes should become a source of social good. 

(‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘The Secret of Divine Civilization’; Ruhi Book 5)

How to attain “the shores of the ocean of true understanding”

No man shall attain the shores of the ocean of true understanding except he be detached from all that is in heaven and on earth. Sanctify your souls, O ye peoples of the world, that haply ye may attain that station which God hath destined for you… 

(Baha’u’llah, ‘The Kitab-i-Iqan’; Ruhi Book 4)

Promise of assistance from Baha’u’llah

Verily, We behold you from Our Realm of Effulgent Glory, and shall graciously aid whosoever ariseth for the triumph of Our Cause with the hosts of the Celestial Concourse and a company of Our chosen angels. 

(Baha’u’llah, quoted by Shoghi Effendi in a letter dated 21 January 1922; ‘Baha’i Administration’) 

Harmony, love and purity of motive

… whatsoever thing is arranged in harmony and with love and purity of motive, its result is light, and should the least trace of estrangement prevail the result shall be darkness upon darkness. 

(‘Abdu’l-Baha, quoted by Shoghi Effendi, from a letter dated March 5, 1922; ‘Baha’i Administration’)

Truthfulness

Truthfulness is the foundation of all human virtues. Without truthfulness progress and success, in all the worlds of God, are impossible for any soul. When this holy attribute is established in man, all the divine qualities will also be acquired. 

(‘Abdu’l-Baha, quoted by Shoghi Effendi in ‘The Advent of Divine Justice’)

Equality of man and woman

The world of humanity has two wings - - one is woman and the other man. Not until both wings are equally developed can the bird fly. 

(‘Abdu'l-Baha, from a talk, 'Foundations of World Unity')

Fundamental purpose of religion

O ye children of men! The fundamental purpose animating the Faith of God and His Religion is to safeguard the interests and promote the unity of the human race, and to foster the spirit of love and fellowship amongst men. 

(Baha’u’llah, ‘The Tabernacle of Unity, Bahá’u’lláh’s Responses to Mánikchí Sáhib and Other Writings’)

Humanity’s true peace & tranquility

True peace and tranquillity will only be realized when every soul will have become the well-wisher of all mankind. 

(Baha’u’llah, ‘The Tabernacle of Unity, Bahá’u’lláh’s Responses to Mánikchí Sáib and Other Writings’)

The effect of education

Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom. 
(Baha’u’llah, ‘Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah’; Ruhi Book 3)

Detachment “from the world and the vanities thereof”

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.

(Baha’u’llah, ‘The Baha’i World 1926-1928; Ruhi Book 2)

“…let your heart burn with loving-kindness…”

Do not be content with showing friendship in words alone; let your heart burn with loving-kindness for all who may cross your path. 

(‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Paris Talks’; Ruhi Book 1)

During consultation not to voice one’s opinion as correct and right…

…consultation must have for its object the investigation of truth. He who expresses an opinion should not voice it as correct and right but set it forth as a contribution to the consensus of opinion… 

(‘Abdu’l-Baha, from a talk, Chicago, 2 May 1912; ‘The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912’)

Not to make religion the “cause of enmity or dissension”

O ye that dwell on earth! The religion of God is for love and unity; make it not the cause of enmity or dissension. 

(Baha’u’llah, ‘Tablets of Baha’u’llah revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas’; Ruhi Book 8)

“Let deeds, not words, be your adorning”

O Son of Dust! Verily I say unto thee: Of all men the most negligent is he that disputeth idly and seeketh to advance himself over his brother. Say, O brethren! Let deeds, not words, be your adorning. 

(Baha'u'llah, 'The Persian Hidden Words'; included in Ruhi Book 7)

Mentioning Baha’u’llah’s name when teaching

By the righteousness of God! Whoso openeth his lips in this Day and maketh mention of the name of his Lord, the hosts of Divine inspiration shall descend upon him from the heaven of My name, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. On him shall also descend the Concourse on high, each bearing aloft a chalice of pure light. 

(Baha'u'llah, ‘Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah’; included in Ruhi Book 6)

Attributes to exemplify

The companions of God are, in this day, the lump that must leaven the peoples of the world. They must show forth such trustworthiness, such truthfulness and  perseverance, such deeds and character that all mankind may profit by their example. 

- Baha’u’llah  (quoted by Shoghi Effendi in ‘The Advent of Divine Justice’; included in Ruhi Book 5)

Turning one's heart to the Manifestation of God

It behoveth every man to blot out the trace of every idle word from the tablet of his heart, and to gaze, with an open and unbiased mind, on the signs of His Revelation, the proofs of His Mission, and the tokens of His glory. 
- Baha'u'llah  (‘Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah’; included in Ruhi Book 4)