First and foremost,
one should use every possible means to purge one's heart and motives,
otherwise, engaging in any form of enterprise would be futile. It is also
essential to abstain from hypocrisy and blind imitation, inasmuch as their foul
odour is soon detected by every man of understanding and wisdom. Moreover, the
friends must observe the specific times for the remembrance of God, meditation,
devotion and prayer, as it is highly unlikely, nay impossible, for any
enterprise to prosper and develop when deprived of divine bestowals and
confirmation. One can hardly imagine what a great influence genuine love,
truthfulness and purity of motives exert on the souls of men. But these traits
cannot be acquired by any believer unless he makes a daily effort to gain
them...
- Shoghi Effendi (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)
