It is better for a man to guide a soul than to possess all
that lies between East and West. Likewise better is guidance for him who is
guided than all the things that exist on earth, for by reason of this guidance
he will, after his death, gain admittance into Paradise, whereas by reason of
the things of the world below, he will, after his death, receive his deserts.
Hence God desireth that all men should be guided aright through the potency of
the Words of Him Whom God shall make manifest. However, such as are conceited
will not suffer themselves to be guided. They will be debarred from the Truth,
some by reason of their learning, others on account of their glory and power,
and still others due to reasons of their own, none of which shall be of any
avail at the hour of death.
- The Báb
(From the Persian Bayan, ‘Selections from the Writings of the Báb)
