Let none in the whole country go in need

"Settle all things, both great and small, by consultation. Without prior consultation, take no important step in your own personal affairs. Concern yourselves with one another. Help along one another's projects and plans. Grieve over one another. Let none in the whole country go in need. Befriend one another until ye become as a single body, one and all...."

—`Abdu'l-Bahá, from a Tablet - translated from the Persian

When the racial elements of the American nation unite

When the racial elements of the American nation unite in actual fellowship and accord, the lights of the oneness of humanity will shine, the day of eternal glory and bliss will dawn,... This is the blessing and benefit of unity; this is the outcome of love. This is the sign of the Most Great Peace; this is the star of the oneness of the human world. Consider how blessed this condition will be. I pray for you and ask the confirmation and assistance of God in your behalf.

—'Abdu'l-Baha, April 24, 1912, Promulgation of Universal Peace

Happiness is a great healer

"We should all visit the sick. When they are in sorrow and suffering, it is a real help and benefit to have a friend come. Happiness is a great healer to those who are ill....This has a greater effect than the remedy itself. You must always have this thought of love and affection when you visit the ailing and afflicted."

'Abdu'l-Baha, Promulgation of Universal Peace

Defences of peace must be constructed in the minds of men

"If wars start in the minds of men; it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed,"

—Ms. Irina Bokova, citing the UNESCO manifesto

Inauguration of UNESCO Square for Tolerance and Peace in Haifa, Israel

"Managing diversity raises some of the most difficult questions of this 21st century – inside our societies and outside, with our neighbours and globally,"

"I am more than convinced that the only ways to build a more peaceful and equitable world are through education and dialogue – to deepen understanding, to strengthen mutual respect and to prepare the ground for reconciliation..."

Irina Bokova, Director General of UNESCO
Speaking at a special ceremony held in the Baha'i gardens to inaugurate the UNESCO for Tolerance and Peace Square


http://news.bahai.org/story/828

Youth can move the world

A Message to Youth:

“Undoubtedly, it is within your power to contribute significantly to shaping the societies of the coming century; youth can move the world.”

— The Universal House of Justice
 Baha'i Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program
http://www.bahai.us/community-life/teens-and-preteens/

Until reality of equality of man and woman is attained

"Until the reality of equality between man and woman is fully established and attained, the highest social development of mankind is not possible."

'Abdu'l-Baha, Promulgation of Universal Peace

Man can receive no greater gift than this

"Never is it the wish of `Abdu'l-Bahá to see any being hurt, nor will He make anyone to grieve; for man can receive no greater gift than this, that he rejoice another's heart. I beg of God that ye will be bringers of joy, even as are the angels in Heaven.
 "   

Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Bahá

Spirituality is beginning to grow

"All down the ages we see how blood has stained the surface of the earth; but now a ray of greater light has come, man's intelligence is greater, spirituality is beginning to grow, and a time is surely coming when the religions of the world will be at peace. ...let us join together to hasten forward the Divine Cause of unity, until all humanity knows itself to be one family, joined together in love."

-'Abdu'l-Baha

I beseech you to add your prayers to mine to end war

"I beseech you, one and all, to add your prayers to mine to the end that war and bloodshed cease, and that love, friendship, peace and unity reign in the world."
-Abdu'l-Baha

A wonderful song giveth wings to the spirit

"..although sound is but the vibrations of the air which affect the tympanum of the ear, and vibrations of the air are but an accident among the accidents which depend upon the air, consider how much marvelous notes or a charming song influence the spirits!

A wonderful song giveth wings to the spirit and filleth the heart with exaltation..."

—Abdu'l-Baha

Joy Follows a Pure Thought

"Like a wheel that follows the cart pulling ox,
Sorrow follows an evil thought.

And joy follows a pure thought,
like a shadow faithfully tailing a man.
We are what we think,
having become what we thought."

—Buddhism, Dhammapada

Immortality of the Spirit - Like the Bird Being Released from the Cage

"In the time of sleep this body is as though dead; it does not see nor hear; it does not feel; it has no consciousness, no perception—that is to say, the powers of man have become inactive, but the spirit lives and subsists. Nay, its penetration is increased, its flight is higher, and its intelligence is greater. To consider that after the death of the body the spirit perishes is like imagining that a bird in a cage will be destroyed if the cage is broken, though the bird has nothing to fear from the destruction of the cage. Our body is like the cage, and the spirit is like the bird. We see that without the cage this bird flies in the world of sleep; therefore, if the cage becomes broken, the bird will continue and exist. Its feelings will be even more powerful, its perceptions greater, and its happiness increased."

'Abdu'l-Baha, The Reality of Man

When a mother seeth that her child hath done well, let her praise him

Whensoever a mother seeth that her child hath done well, let her praise and applaud him and cheer his heart; and if the slightest undesirable trait should manifest itself, let her counsel the child and punish him, and use means based on reason, even a slight verbal chastisement should this be necessary. It is not, however, permissible to strike a child, or vilify him, for the child’s character will be totally perverted if he be subjected to blows or verbal abuse.

—‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

The wise man does not work for the present moment but for the good results of the future

'The wise man does not work for the present moment but for the good results of the future. See in the winter how bare and lifeless the trees and plants seem, without leaves and without fruit. Suppose one should pass by at this time who knew nothing of the condition of the earth and saw a man ploughing it up and casting grain in the furrow. Would he not say, "How foolish this man is. He is troubling himself for no result, working for no purpose and wasting that which would give him food"? But in due time the showers descend upon the earth, the sun shines, the breezes blow and we see the result in great beauty and production. So is the work of the Holy Spirit in your hearts. The earthly sun is like the Sun of Truth; the rain is the shower of the mercy of God; the seed is the word of God; the air is the fragrant waves of His Holy Spirit and the soil is the hearts of the people.'

-'Abdu'l-Baha, from An Early Pilgrimage by May Maxwell

Love is Light

Be ye sincerely kind, not in appearance only. Let each one of God’s loved ones centre his attention on this: to be the Lord’s mercy to man; to be the Lord’s grace. Let him do some good to every person whose path he crosseth, and be of some benefit to him. Let him improve the character of each and all, and reorient the minds of men. In this way, the light of divine guidance will shine forth, and the blessings of God will cradle all mankind: for love is light, no matter in what abode it dwelleth; and hate is darkness, no matter where it may make its nest. O friends of God! That the hidden Mystery may stand revealed, and the secret essence of all things may be disclosed, strive ye to banish that darkness for ever and ever.

—Abdu’l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu’l-Baha

When Your Heart is Filled with Love

Our Master ('Abdu'l-Baha) always answered all questions, however trivial, with the utmost courtesy and respondent genially to every subject of conversation; yet we noticed that He gave the most commonplace subject a higher significance, and transformed material things into spiritual realities. For instance, if anyone mentioned that the food was delicious, He smiled lovingly on the speaker and said:

'That is because your heart is full of love; when the heart is filled with love everything seems beautiful and delightful to us.'

—May Maxwell, An Early Pilgrammage 1917

Music Causes Exaltation of Sad & Desponding Hearts

"...music is one of the arts that is highly approved and is considered to be the cause of the exaltation of sad and desponding hearts."

—Abdu'l-Baha

Greatest of All Services is the Education of Children

"Among the greatest of all great services is the education of children, and promotion of the various sciences, crafts and arts. Praised be God, ye are now exerting strenuous efforts toward this end. The more ye persevere in this most important task, the more will ye witness the confirmations of God, to such a degree that ye yourselves will be astonished."

—Abdu'l-Baha

How Lofty is the Station which Man Can Attain

"How lofty is the station which man, if he but choose to fulfill his high destiny, can attain! To what depths of degradation he can sink, depths which the meanest of creatures have never reached! Seize, O friends, the chance which this Day offereth you, and deprive not yourselves of the liberal effusions of His grace. I beseech God that He may graciously enable every one of you to adorn himself, in this blessed Day, with the ornament of pure and holy deeds. He, verily, doeth whatsoever He willeth.

@mdash;Baha'u'llah