We cannot segregate the human heart from the environment outside us and say that once one of these is reformed everything will be improved. Man is organic with the world. His inner life moulds the environment and is itself also deeply affected by it. The one acts upon the other and every abiding change in the life of man is the result of these mutual reactions.
Shoghi EffendiRegarding the passage on p. 163 of the 'Gleanings': The creatures which Bahรก'u'llรกh states to be found on every planet cannot be considered to be necessarily similar or different from human beings on this earth. Bahรก'u'llรกh does not specifically state whether such creatures are like or unlike us. He simply refers to the fact that there are creatures on every planet. It remains for science to discover one day the exact nature of these creatures.
Shoghi EffendiThe more we search for ourselves, the less likely we are to find ourselves; and the more we search for God, and to serve our fellow-men, the more profoundly will we become acquainted with ourselves, and the more inwardly assured. This is one of the great spiritual laws of life.
Shoghi EffendiLove & kindness have far greater influence than punishment upon the improvement of human character.
Shoghi EffendiWe must be like the fountain or spring that is continually emptying itself of all that it has and is continually being refilled from an invisible source. To be continually giving out for the good of our fellows undeterred by fear of poverty and reliant on the unfailing bounty of the Source of all wealth and all good -- this is the secret of right living.
Shoghi Effendi