"In the garden of thy heart plant naught but the rose of love ..."

"O FRIEND! 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. Treasure the companionship of the righteous and eschew all fellowship with the ungodly."

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, Persian No. 3, p. 23

"Open the eye of truth, that thou mayest behold the veilless Beauty ..."

"O FLEETING SHADOW! Pass beyond the baser stages of doubt and rise to the exalted heights of certainty. Open the eye of truth, that thou mayest behold the veilless Beauty and exclaim: Hallowed be the Lord, the most excellent of all creators!"

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, Persian No. 9, p. 25

"Close one eye and open the other."

"O MAN OF TWO VISIONS! Close one eye and open the other. Close one to the world and all that is therein, and open the other to the hallowed beauty of the Beloved."

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, Persian No. 12, p. 26

" ... the heart wherein the least remnant of envy yet lingers, shall never attain My everlasting dominion ..."

"O SON OF EARTH! Know, verily, the heart wherein the least remnant of envy yet lingers, shall never attain My everlasting dominion, nor inhale the sweet savors of holiness breathing from My kingdom of sanctity."

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, Persian No. 6, p. 24

" ... set not your affections on this mortal world of dust."

"O FRIENDS! Abandon not the everlasting beauty for a beauty that must die, and set not your affections on this mortal world of dust."

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, Persian No. 14, p. 26

" ... none but the smallest handful hath been found with a pure heart and sanctified spirit."

"O COMRADES! The gates that open on the Placeless stand wide and the habitation of the loved one is adorned with the lovers’ blood, yet all but a few remain bereft of this celestial city, and even of these few, none but the smallest handful hath been found with a pure heart and sanctified spirit."

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, Persian No. 17, p. 27

" Awe-struck ye listened as I gave utterance to these three most holy words ..."

"O MY FRIENDS! Have ye forgotten that true and radiant morn, when in those hallowed and blessed surroundings ye were all gathered in My presence beneath the shade of the tree of life, which is planted in the all-glorious paradise? Awe-struck ye listened as I gave utterance to these three most holy words: O friends! Prefer not your will to Mine, never desire that which I have not desired for you, and approach Me not with lifeless hearts, defiled with worldly desires and cravings. Would ye but sanctify your souls, ye would at this present hour recall that place and those surroundings, and the truth of My utterance should be made evident unto all of you."

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, Persian No. 19, pp. 27-28