The wish of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, that which attracts His good
pleasure and, indeed, His binding command, is that Bahá'ís, in all matters,
even in small daily transactions and dealings with others, should act in accordance
with the divine Teachings. He has commanded us not to be content with
lowliness, humility and meekness, but rather to become manifestations of
selflessness and utter nothingness. Of old, all have been exhorted to loyalty
and fidelity, compassion and love; in this supreme Dispensation, the people of
Bahá are called upon to sacrifice their very lives. Notice the extent to which
the friends have been required in the Sacred Epistles and Tablets, as well as
in our Beloved's Testament, to be righteous, well-wishing, forbearing,
sanctified, pure, detached from all else save God, severed from the trappings
of this world and adorned with the mantle of a goodly character and godly
attributes.
(From a letter dated 19 December 1923 written by Shoghi Effendi to
the Bahá'ís of the East - translated from the Persian; The Compilation of
Compilations, vol. II, Living the Life)
