First and foremost, one should use every possible means to
purge one's heart and motives, otherwise, engaging in any form of enterprise
would be futile. It is also essential to abstain from hypocrisy and blind
imitation, inasmuch as their foul odour is soon detected by every man of
understanding and wisdom.
- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated 19 December 1923 written by
Shoghi Effendi to the Bahá'ís of the East - translated from the Persian; The
Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Living the Life)