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’)
