...they should exemplify in every aspect of their lives
those attributes and virtues that are born of God and should arise to
distinguish themselves by their goodly behaviour. They should justify their
claim to be Bahá'ís by deeds and not by name. He is a true Bahá'í who strives
by day and by night to progress and advance along the path of human endeavor,
whose most cherished desire is so to live and act as to enrich and illuminate
the world, whose source of inspiration is the essence of Divine virtue, whose
aim in life is so to conduct himself as to be the cause of infinite progress.
Only when he attains unto such perfect gifts can it be said of him that he is a
true Bahá'í. For in this holy Dispensation, the crowning glory of bygone ages
and cycles, true Faith is no mere acknowledgement of the Unity of God, but
rather the living of a life that will manifest all the perfections and virtues
implied in such belief.... ('Abdu'l-Bahá,
in "Bahá'í Year Book" ["The Bahá'í World"], vol. 1 (New
York: Bahá'í Publishing Committee, 1926; The Compilation of Compilations, vol.
I, Excellence in All Things)
