If one of the friends ... be appointed to a high
administrative office, he should strive diligently to perform the duties
committed to his charge with perfect honesty, integrity, sincerity, rectitude
and uprightness. If, however, he abuse his position through corrupt or
mercenary behaviour, he will be held in detestation at the Threshold of
Grandeur and incur the wrath of the Abha Beauty -- nay, he shall be forsaken by
the one true God and all who adore Him. So far from acting thus, he should
content himself with his salary and allowances, seek out the way of
righteousness, and dedicate his life to the service of state and people. Such
must be the conduct and bearing of the Bahá'ís. Whoso transgresseth these
bounds shall fall at length into manifest loss.
(‘Abdu’l-Baha, from a Tablet;
The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Trustworthiness: A Cardinal Bahá'í
Virtue)
