If thou wishest to guide the souls, it is incumbent on thee
to be firm, to be good and to be imbued with praiseworthy attributes and divine
qualities under all circumstances. Be a sign of love, a manifestation of mercy,
a fountain of tenderness, kind-hearted, good to all and gentle to the servants
of God, and especially to those who bear relation to thee, both men and women.
Bear every ordeal that befalleth thee from the people and confront them not
save with kindness, with great love and good wishes.
(‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Tablets of
Abdu'l-Baha Abbas, vol. 3’; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Guidelines
for Teaching)
