"Whoso achieveth this duty hath attained unto all good..."

"The first duty prescribed by God for His servants is the recognition of Him Who is the Day Spring of His Revelation and the Fountain of His laws, Who representeth the Godhead in both the Kingdom of His Cause and the world of creation. Whoso achieveth this duty hath attained unto all good; and whoso is deprived thereof, hath gone astray, though he be the author of every righteous deed. It behoveth every one who reacheth this most sublime station, this summit of transcendent glory, to observe every ordinance of Him Who is the Desire of the world. These twin duties are inseparable. Neither is acceptable without the other. Thus hath it been decreed by Him Who is the Source of Divine inspiration."

-Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, pp. 330-331

"The light which these souls radiate is responsible for the progress of the world..."

"The purpose underlying Their revelation hath been to educate all men, that they may, at the hour of death, ascend, in the utmost purity and sanctity and with absolute detachment, to the throne of the Most High. The light which these souls radiate is responsible for the progress of the world and the advancement of its peoples. They are like unto leaven which leaveneth the world of being, and constitute the animating force through which the arts and wonders of the world are made manifest. Through them the clouds rain their bounty upon men, and the earth bringeth forth its fruits. All things must needs have a cause, a motive power, an animating principle. These souls and symbols of detachment have provided, and will continue to provide, the supreme moving impulse in the world of being. The world beyond is as different from this world as this world is different from that of the child while still in the womb of its mother. When the soul attaineth the Presence of God, it will assume the form that best befitteth its immortality and is worthy of its celestial habitation. Such an existence is a contingent and not an absolute existence, inasmuch as the former is preceded by a cause, whilst the latter is independent thereof. Absolute existence is strictly confined to God, exalted be His glory. Well is it with them that apprehend this truth."

-Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 157

"One of the created phenomena is the dream."

"Indeed, O Brother, if we ponder each created thing, we shall witness a myriad perfect wisdoms and learn a myriad new and wondrous truths. One of the created phenomena is the dream. Behold how many secrets are deposited therein, how many wisdoms treasured up, how many worlds concealed. Observe, how thou art asleep in a dwelling, and its doors are barred; on a sudden thou findest thyself in a far-off city, which thou enterest without moving thy feet or wearying thy body; without using thine eyes, thou seest; without taxing thine ears, thou hearest; without a tongue, thou speakest. And perchance when ten years are gone, thou wilt witness in the outer world the very things thou hast dreamed tonight.

Now there are many wisdoms to ponder in the dream, which none but the people of this Valley (The Valley of Wonderment) can comprehend in their true elements. First, what is this world, where without eye and ear and hand and tongue a man puts all of these to use? Second, how is it that in the outer world thou seest today the effect of a dream, when thou didst vision it in the world of sleep some ten years past? Consider the difference between these two worlds and the mysteries which they conceal, that thou mayest attain to divine confirmations and heavenly discoveries and enter the regions of holiness.

God, the Exalted, hath placed these signs in men, to the end that philosophers may not deny the mysteries of the life beyond nor belittle that which hath been promised them..."

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Seven Valleys And the Four Valleys, pp. 32-33

"A Mhic an Spioraid!"

A Mhic an Spioraid!  Is é an ceart is ansa liom; ná diúltaigh dó má bhíonn dúil agat ionam, agus ná déan faillí ann le go ligfidh mé mo rún leat. Lena chuidiú sin, chífidh tú le do shúile féin agus ní trí shúile daoine eile, agus beidh fhios agat led eolas féin agus ní trí eolas do chomharsan. Taiscigh é seo i do chroí faoi mar ba chóir duit a bheith. Go deimhin is é an ceart mo thíolacadh duit agus comhartha mo thrócaire. Cuir, dá bhrí sin, i bhfianaise do shúl é. (from Irish Gaelic)

O Son of Spirit!  The best beloved of all things in My sight is Justice; turn not away therefrom if thou desirest Me, and neglect it not that I may confide in thee. By its aid thou shalt see with thine own eyes and not through the eyes of others, and shalt know of thine own knowledge and not through the knowledge of thy neighbour.  Ponder this in thy heart; how it behooveth thee to be.  Verily justice is My gift to thee and the sign of My loving-kindness.  Set it then before thine eyes.

Baha’u’llah, Hidden Words of Baha’u’llah, Arabic No.2

"To the believers who were present in Dublin..."

"The Irish are tenacious in their religious beliefs, and once convinced of the truth and significance of our glorious Faith should make ardent and devoted Bahá’ís."

To the believers who were present in Dublin at the 19 Day Feast of Kamál
Written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 27 August 1947
Unfolding Destiny pp. 397-398

(Image from Trinidad & Tobago official 40¢ postage stamp)

"Myriads of mystic tongues find utterance in one speech..."

"O ESSENCE OF NEGLIGENCE! Myriads of mystic tongues find utterance in one speech, and myriads of hidden mysteries are revealed in a single melody; yet, alas, there is no ear to hear, nor heart to understand."

-Bahá’u’lláh, The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh p.27, Persian No.16

"...pulsate even as the throbbing artery in the body of mankind..."

"Happy are ye, O ye the learned ones in Bahá. By the Lord! Ye are the billows of the Most Mighty Ocean, the stars of the firmament of Glory, the standards of triumph waving betwixt earth and heaven. Ye are the manifestations of steadfastness amidst men and the daysprings of Divine Utterance to all that dwell on earth. Well is it with him that turneth unto you, and woe betide the froward. This day, it behoveth whoso hath quaffed the Mystic Wine of everlasting life from the Hands of the loving-kindness of the Lord his God, the Merciful, to pulsate even as the throbbing artery in the body of mankind, that through him may be quickened the world and every crumbling bone."

-Bahá’u’lláh, The Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 82