Vicious criticism is indeed a calamity. But its root is lack of faith in the system of Bahá’u’lláh (i.e. the administrative order) and lack of obedience to Him—for He has forbidden it. If the Bahá’ís would follow the Bahá’í laws in voting, in electing, in serving, and in abiding by assembly decisions, all this waste of strength thru criticizing others could be diverted into cooperation and achieving the Plan.
- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated 18 December 1949, written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi; ‘Arohanui: Letters from Shoghi Effendi to New Zealand’)
