In The Secret of Divine Civilization, 'Abdu'l-Bahá gives the standard for the "spiritually learned" whom He
describes as "skilled physicians for the ailing body of the world"
and "the sure antidote to the poison that has corrupted human
society":
For every thing, however, God has
created a sign and symbol, and established standards and tests by which it may
be known. The spiritually learned must be characterized by both inward and
outward perfections; they must possess a good character, an enlightened nature,
a pure intent, as well as intellectual power, brilliance and discernment,
intuition, discretion and foresight, temperance, reverence, and a heartfelt
fear of God. For an unlit candle, however great in diameter and tall, is no
better than a barren palm tree or a pile of dead wood.
(From a letter
dated 8 February 1998 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an
individual believer)
