Devotion, USA
“…All these endless beings which inhabit the world, whether man, animal, vegetable, mineral—whatever they may be—are surely, each one of them, composed of elements. There is no doubt that this perfection hich is in all beings, is caused by the creation of God from the composing elements, by their appropriate mingling and proportionate quantities, the mode of their composition, and the influence of other beings. For all beings are connected together like a chain, and reciprocal help, assistance, and influence belonging to the properties of things, are the causes of the existence, development, and growth of created beings.”
-‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions
Haifa, Israel
“The day will surely come when the Nightingale of Paradise will have winged its flight away from its earthly abode unto its heavenly nest. Then will its melody be heard no more, and the beauty of the rose cease to shine. Seize the time, therefore, ere the glory of the divine springtime hath spent itself, and the Bird of Eternity ceased to warble its melody, that thy inner hearing may not be deprived of hearkening unto its call.”
-Bahá’u’lláh, The Kitáb-i-Íqán
New York City, USA
“Humanity is not perfect. There are imperfections in every human being, and you will always become unhappy if you look toward the people themselves. But if you look toward God, you will love them and be kind to them, for the world of God is the world of perfection and complete mercy.”
-‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace
Freemantle, Australia
Fremantle Town Hall (opened 1887)
“In this universal dispensation man’s wondrous craftsmanship is reckoned as worship of the Resplendent Beauty. Consider what a bounty and blessing it is that craftsmanship is regarded as worship. In former times, it was believed that such skills were tantamount to ignorance, if not a misfortune, hindering man from drawing nigh unto God. … It behooveth the craftsmen of the world at each moment to offer a thousand tokens of gratitude at the Sacred Threshold, and to exert their highest endeavor and diligently pursue their professions so that their efforts may produce that which will manifest the greatest beauty and perfection before the eyes of all men.”
-‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
Wilmette, USA
“Strive as much as possible to become proficient in the science of agriculture, for in accordance with the divine teachings the acquisition of sciences and the perfection of arts are considered acts of worship. If a man engageth with all his power in the acquisition of a science or in the perfection of an art, it is as if he has been worshipping God in churches and temples.”
-‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
Haifa, Israel
“¡oh amados de Dios!, haced un gran esfuerzo hasta que vosotros mismos seáis una evidencia de este adelanto y de todas estas confirmaciones, y lleguéis a ser los centros focales de las bendiciones de Dios, las auroras de la luz de su unidad, los promotores de los dones y las mercedes de la vida civilizada. Sed en ese país la vanguardia de las perfecciones de la humanidad; impulsad las diferentes ramas del conocimiento, sed activos y progresistas en el campo de las invenciones y las artes. Esforzaos en rectificar la conducta de los hombres, y buscad sobrepasar a todo el mundo en carácter moral. Mientras los niños se hallen todavía en su infancia, alimentadles del pecho de la gracia celestial, criadles en la cuna de toda excelencia, educadles en el abrazo de la munificencia. Concededles la ventaja de toda clase de conocimiento útil. Dejadles que participen en todo oficio o arte nuevos, extraordinarios y maravillosos. Educadles en el trabajo y el esfuerzo, y acostumbradles a las privaciones. Enseñadles a dedicar la vida a cosas de gran importancia, e inspiradles en el emprendimiento de los estudios que beneficien a la humanidad.”
-‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Seleccion de los Escritos