You must become the shining candles of moral precepts and
spiritual ideals and be the means of the illumination of others. Clothe your
bodies with the robes of virtues. Characterize yourselves with the
characteristics of the people of divine morality. Shun all manner of vices as
you shun a poisonous snake or a leper. Let the corps of professors and the
students be impressed with the purity and holiness of your lives so that they
may take you as paragons of worthiness, examples of nobility of nature,
observers of the moral laws, holding in subordination the lower element by the
higher spirit, the conquerors of self and the masters of wholesome, vital
forces in all the avenues of life. Strive always to be at the head of your
classes through hard study and true merit. Be always in a prayerful state and
appreciate the value of everything. Entertain high ideals and stimulate your
intellectual and constructive forces.
- 'Abdu'l-Bahá ("Star of the
West", vol. 9, no. 9, 20 August 1918; The Compilation of Compilations,
vol. I, Excellence in All Things)
