Thou hast written that one of the friends hath composed a
treatise. This was mentioned in the Holy Presence, and this is what was
revealed in response: Great care should be exercised that whatever is written
in these days doth not cause dissension, and invite the objection of the
people. Whatever the friends of the one true God say in these days is listened
to by the people of the world. It hath been revealed in the Lawh-i-Hikmat:
"The unbelievers have inclined their ears towards us in order to hear that
which might enable them to cavil against God, the Help in Peril, the
Self-Subsisting." Whatever is written should not transgress the bounds of
tact and wisdom, and in the words used there should lie hid the property of
milk, so that the children of the world may be nurtured therewith, and attain
maturity. We have said in the past that one word hath the influence of spring
and causeth hearts to become fresh and verdant, while another is like unto
blight which causeth the blossoms and flowers to wither. God grant that authors
among the friends will write in such a way as would be acceptable to
fair-minded souls, and not lead to cavilling by the people.
- Bahá'u'lláh (The
Compilation of Compilations, Vol. II, Writers and Writing)
