The Bahá'í conception of social life is essentially based on
the principle of the subordination of the individual will to that of society.
It neither suppresses the individual nor does it exalt him to the point of
making him an antisocial creature, a menace to society. As in everything, it
follows the "golden mean". The only way that society can function is
for the minority to follow the will of the majority.
- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated 21
November 1935 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer;
compilation: “lights of Guidance’)