Why Should We Acquire Virtues?
Why Should We Develop Our Character?
The purpose of the one true God in manifesting Himself is to summon all mankind
to truthfulness and sincerity, to piety and trustworthiness, to resignation and
submissiveness to the Will of God, to forbearance and kindliness, to
uprightness and wisdom. His object is to array every man with the mantle of a
saintly character, and to adorn him with the ornament of holy and goodly
deeds.
(1 - Bahá'u'lláh - Gleanings, p. 299)
The aim of this Wronged One in sustaining woes and tribulations, in revealing
the Holy Verses and in demonstrating proofs hath been naught but to quench the
flame of hate and enmity, that the horizon of the hearts of men may be
illumined with the light of concord and attain real peace and tranquillity.
From the dawning-place of the divine Tablet the day-star of this utterance
shineth resplendent, and it behoveth everyone to fix his gaze upon it: We
exhort you, O peoples of the world, to observe that which will elevate your
station. Hold fast to the fear of God and firmly adhere to what is right.
Verily I say, the tongue is for mentioning what is good, defile it not with
unseemly talk. God hath forgiven what is past. Henceforward everyone should
utter that which is meet and seemly, and should refrain from slander, abuse and
whatever causeth sadness in men. Lofty is the station of man! Not long ago this
exalted Word streamed forth from the treasury of Our Pen of Glory: Great and
blessed is this Day - the Day in which all that lay latent in man hath been and
will be made manifest. Lofty is the station of man, were he to hold fast to
righteousness and truth and to remain firm and steadfast in the Cause. In the
eyes of the All-Merciful a true man appeareth even as a firmament; its sun and
moon are his sight and hearing, and his shining and resplendent character its
stars. His is the loftiest station, and his influence educateth the world of
being.
(2 - Bahá'u'lláh - Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh,
pp. 219-220)
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.
(3 - Bahá'u'lláh - Advent of Divine Justice, p. 19;
Excellence in All Things, p. 367; Trustworthiness, p. 334)
The most vital duty, in this day, is to purify your characters, to correct your
manners, and improve your conduct. The beloved of the Merciful must show forth
such character and conduct among His creatures, that the fragrance of their
holiness may be shed upon the whole world, and may quicken the dead, inasmuch
as the purpose of the Manifestation of God and the dawning of the limitless
lights of the Invisible is to educate the souls of men, and refine the
character of every living man - so that blessed individuals, who have freed
themselves from the murk of the animal world, shall rise up with those
qualities which are the adornings of the reality of man. The purpose is that
earthlings should turn into the people of Heaven, and those who walk in
darkness should come into the light, and those who are excluded should join the
inner circle of the Kingdom, and those who are as nothing should become
intimates of the everlasting Glory. It is that the portionless should gain
their share of the boundless sea, and the ignorant drink their fill from the
living fount of knowledge; that those who thirst for blood should forsake their
savagery, and those who are barbed of claw should turn gentle and forbearing,
and those who love war should seek instead for true conciliation; it is that
the brutal, their talons razor-sharp, should enjoy the benefits of lasting
peace; that the foul should learn that there is a realm of purity, and the
tainted find their way to the rivers of holiness.
(4 - `Abdu'l-Bahá - Selections from the Writings of
`Abdu'l-Bahá, pp. 10-11)
Were man to appreciate the greatness of his station and the loftiness of his
destiny he would manifest naught save goodly character, pure deeds, and a
seemly and praiseworthy conduct. If the learned and wise men of goodwill were
to impart guidance unto the people, the whole earth would be regarded as one
country. Verily this is the undoubted truth. This servant appealeth to every
diligent and enterprising soul to exert his utmost endeavour and arise to
rehabilitate the conditions in all regions and to quicken the dead with the
living waters of wisdom and utterance, by virtue of the love he cherisheth for
God, the One, the Peerless, the Almighty, the Beneficent.
(5 - Bahá'u'lláh - Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh, p.
172)
Good character is, verily, the best mantle for men on the part of God; by this
God adorns the temples of His friends. By My life, the light of good character
surpasses the light of the sun and its effulgence. He who attains thereto is
accounted as the essence of men. Upon this the honour and glory of the world
are based and are dependent. Good character is the means of guiding men to the
right path and the great message.
(6 - Bahá'u'lláh - Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh, p.
7)
The third Taraz concerneth good character. A good character is, verily, the
best mantle for men from God. With it He adorneth the temples of His loved
ones. By My life! The light of a good character surpasseth the light of the sun
and the radiance thereof. Whoso attaineth unto it is accounted as a jewel among
men. The glory and the upliftment of the world must needs depend upon it. A
goodly character is a means whereby men are guided to the Straight Path and are
led to the Great Announcement. Well is it with him who is adorned with the
saintly attributes and character of the Concourse on High.
(7 - Bahá'u'lláh - Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh, p.
36)
Centre your attention unceasingly upon that which will cause the Word of God to
be exalted. In this Most Great Revelation goodly deeds and a praiseworthy
character are regarded as the hosts of God, likewise is His blessed and holy
Word. These hosts are the lodestone of the hearts of men and the effective
means for unlocking doors. Of all the weapons in the world this is the keenest.
(8 - Bahá'u'lláh - Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh, p.
256)
The fourth Ishraq In this Revelation the hosts that can render it victorious
are the hosts of praiseworthy deeds and upright character. The leader and
commander of these hosts hath ever been the fear of God, a fear that
encompasseth all things and reigneth over all things.
(9 - Bahá'u'lláh - Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh, p.
126; Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 26)
The sword of a virtuous character and upright conduct is sharper than blades of
steel.
(10 - Bahá'u'lláh - Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p.
29)
A Greek philosopher living in the days of the youth of Christianity, being full
of the Christian element, though not a professing Christian, wrote thus: `It is
my belief that religion is the very foundation of true civilization'. For,
unless the moral character of a nation is educated, as well as its brain and
its talents, civilization has no sure basis.
(11 - `Abdu'l-Bahá - Paris Talks*, p. 31)
Strain every nerve to acquire both inner and outer perfections, for the fruit
of the human tree hath ever been and will ever be perfections both within and
without. It is not desirable that a man be left without knowledge or skills,
for he is then but a barren tree. Then, so much as capacity and capability
allow, ye needs must deck the tree of being with fruits such as knowledge,
wisdom, spiritual perception and eloquent speech.
(12 - Bahá'u'lláh - Bahá'í Education, #9;
Excellence in All Things, #5)
Know that the conditions of existence are limited to the conditions of
servitude, of prophethood and of Deity, but the divine and the contingent
perfections are unlimited.
(13 - `Abdu'l-Bahá - Some Answered Questions, p.
130)
God hath prescribed unto every one the duty of teaching His Cause. Whoever
ariseth to discharge this duty, must needs, ere he proclaimeth His Message,
adorn himself with the ornament of an upright and praiseworthy character, so
that his words may attract the hearts of such as are receptive to his call.
Without it, he can never hope to influence his hearers.
(14 - Bahá'u'lláh - Gleanings, p. 335)