... Each of us is responsible for one life only, and that is
our own. Each of us is immeasurably far from being 'perfect as our heavenly
Father is perfect' and the task of perfecting our own life and character is one
that requires all our attention, our willpower and energy. If we allow our
attention and energy to be taken up in efforts to keep others right and remedy
their faults, we are wasting precious time. We are like ploughmen each of whom
has his team to manage and his plough to direct, and in order to keep his
furrow straight he must keep his eye on his goal and concentrate on his own
task. If he looks to this side and that to see how Tom and Harry are getting on
and to criticise their ploughing, then his own furrow will assuredly become
crooked."
- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual
believer, May 12, 1925: compilation: ‘Living the Life’; compilation: ‘Lights of
Guidance’)
