The people of Baha
should, then, lead their lives and conduct their affairs with the highest
degree of sanctity and godliness, and uncompromisingly repudiate and dissociate
themselves from the disreputable practices, the deplorable modes and customs
prevalent among the people of the West. Piety and devotion should be the object
of all who would be accounted lovers of this Cause, and the adornment of every
righteous soul; otherwise, slowly but surely, the illumination conferred on the
innermost reality of men's hearts by the virtues of the human world will
flicker and fade and die away, to be overwhelmed by the engulfing darkness of
vice and depravity. Courtesy and dignity are what bring nobility and standing
to a man; whereas frivolity and facetiousness, ribaldry and effrontery will
lead to his abasement, degradation and humiliation. The Bahá'ís should, indeed
must, seek to distinguish themselves in all things, for what difference else
would there be between them and others? Any action, therefore, that is
calculated to detract from the dignity of man's station must be steadfastly
avoided and shunned.
- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated 21 January 1928 - translated from the
Persian; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Trustworthiness: A Cardinal
Bahá'í Virtue)
