I desire distinction for you. The Bahá’ís must be
distinguished from others of humanity. But this distinction must not depend
upon wealth—that they should become more affluent than other people. I do not
desire for you financial distinction. It is not an ordinary distinction I
desire; not scientific, commercial, industrial distinction. For you I desire
spiritual distinction—that is, you must become eminent and distinguished in
morals. In the love of God you must become distinguished from all else. You
must become distinguished for loving humanity, for unity and accord, for love
and justice. In brief, you must become distinguished in all the virtues of the
human world—for faithfulness and sincerity, for justice and fidelity, for
firmness and steadfastness, for philanthropic deeds and service to the human
world, for love toward every human being, for unity and accord with all people,
for removing prejudices and promoting international peace. Finally, you must
become distinguished for heavenly illumination and for acquiring the bestowals
of God. I desire this distinction for you. This must be the point of
distinction among you.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a talk, 15 June, 1912, New York; ‘The Promulgation of Universal Peace:
Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and
Canada in 1912’)
