Now must the lovers of God… be kindly fathers to the
children of the human race, and compassionate brothers to the youth, and
self-denying offspring to those bent with years. The meaning of this is that ye
must show forth tenderness and love to every human being, even to your enemies,
and welcome them all with unalloyed friendship, good cheer, and
loving-kindness. When ye meet with cruelty and persecution at another's hands,
keep faith with him; when malevolence is directed your way, respond with a
friendly heart. To the spears and arrows rained upon you, expose your breasts
for a target mirror-bright; and in return for curses, taunts and wounding
words, show forth abounding love. Thus will all peoples witness the power of
the Most Great Name, and every nation acknowledge the might of the Ancient
Beauty, and see how He hath toppled down the walls of discord, and how surely
He hath guided all the peoples of the earth to oneness; how He hath lit man's
world, and made this earth of dust to send forth streams of light.
- ‘Abdu'l-Baha (Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu'l-Baha)
