Passages for reflection

The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.

Bahá’u’lláh

O Son of Spirit! My first counsel is this: Possess a pure, kindly and radiant heart, that thine may be a sovereignty ancient, imperishable and everlasting.

Bahá’u’lláh

Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch.

Bahá’u’lláh

Immerse yourselves in the ocean of My words, that ye may unravel its secrets, and discover all the pearls of wisdom that lie hid in its depths.

Bahá’u’lláh

Be generous in prosperity, and thankful in adversity. Be worthy of the trust of thy neighbor, and look upon him with a bright and friendly face.

Bahá’u’lláh

O Son of Man! I loved thy creation, hence I created thee. Wherefore, do thou love Me, that I may name thy name and fill thy soul with the spirit of life.

Bahá’u’lláh

O Son of Being! Love Me, that I may love thee. If thou lovest Me not, My love can in no wise reach thee.

Bahá’u’lláh

So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth.

Bahá’u’lláh

Let your vision be world-embracing, rather than confined to your own self.

Bahá’u’lláh

O Son of Spirit! Noble I made thee, wherewith dost thou abase thyself? Rise then unto that for which thou wast created.

Bahá’u’lláh

O Son of Spirit! The best beloved of all things in My sight is Justice; turn not away therefrom if thou desirest Me.

Bahá’u’lláh

Be as a lamp unto them that walk in darkness, a joy to the sorrowful, a sea for the thirsty, a haven for the distressed.

Bahá’u’lláh

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.

Bahá’u’lláh

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.

Bahá’u’lláh

Blessed and happy is he that ariseth to promote the best interests of the peoples and kindreds of the earth.

Bahá’u’lláh

Consort with the followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship.

Bahá’u’lláh

O Son of Being! Thy Paradise is My love; thy heavenly home, reunion with Me. Enter therein and tarry not.

Bahá’u’lláh

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

Bahá’u’lláh

O Son of Man! In the garden of thy heart plant naught but the rose of love, and from the nightingale of affection and desire loosen not thy hold.

Bahá’u’lláh

The religion of God is for love and unity; make it not the cause of enmity or dissension.

Bahá’u’lláh

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.

Bahá’u’lláh

The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established.

Bahá’u’lláh

O Children of Men! Know ye not why We created you all from the same dust? That no one should exalt himself over the other.

Bahá’u’lláh

O Son of Spirit! I created thee rich, why dost thou bring thyself down to poverty? Turn thy sight unto thyself, that thou mayest find Me standing within thee, mighty, powerful and self-subsisting.

Bahá’u’lláh

O Son of Being! My love is My stronghold; he that entereth therein is safe and secure, and he that turneth away shall surely stray and perish.

Bahá’u’lláh

O Son of Man! Be thou content with Me and seek no other helper. For none but Me can ever suffice thee.

Bahá’u’lláh

To be a Bahá’í simply means to love all the world; to love humanity and try to serve it; to work for universal peace and universal brotherhood.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá

He Who is your Lord, the All-Merciful, cherisheth in His heart the desire of beholding the entire human race as one soul and one body.

Bahá’u’lláh