There is a difference between character and faith; it is
often very hard to accept this fact and put up with it, but the fact remains
that a person may believe in and love the Cause - even to being ready to die
for it - and yet not have a good personal character, or possess traits at
variance with the teachings. We should try to change, to let the Power of God
help recreate us and make us true Baha'is in deed as well as in belief. But
sometimes the process is slow, sometimes it never happens because the
individual does not try hard enough. But these things cause us suffering and
are a test to us…
- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated 17 October 1944 written on behalf of
Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
