These are the days for rendering the divine Cause victorious
and effective aid! The victory of God's Faith is dependent upon teaching; and
teaching is conditional upon righteous actions and goodly deeds and conduct.
The foundation-stone of a life lived in the way of God is the pursuit of moral
excellence and the acquisition of a character endowed with qualities that are well-pleasing
in His sight. The Bahá'ís should adorn themselves with this holy raiment; with
this mighty sword they should conquer the citadels of men's hearts. People have
grown weary and impatient of rhetoric and discourse, of preaching and
sermonizing. In this day, the one thing that can deliver the world from its
travail and attract the hearts of its peoples is deeds, not words; example, not
precept; saintly virtues, not statements and charters issued by governments and
nations on socio-political affairs. In all matters, great or small, word must
be the complement of deed, and deed the companion of word: each must
supplement, support and reinforce the other. It is in this respect that the
Bahá'ís must seek distinction...
- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated 8 December 1923 written
by Shoghi Effendi to the Bahá'ís in Bombay - translated from the Persian; The
Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, A Chase and Holy Life)
