Such a rectitude of conduct must manifest itself, with ever-increasing potency,
- in every verdict which the elected representatives of the Bahá'í community, in whatever capacity they may find themselves, may be called upon to pronounce.
- It must be constantly reflected in the business dealings of all its members,
- in their domestic lives,
- in all manner of employment, and
- in any service they may, in the future, render their government or people.
- It must be exemplified in the conduct of all Bahá'í electors, when exercising their sacred rights and functions.
- It must characterize the attitude of every loyal believer towards
- nonacceptance of political posts,
- nonidentification with political parties,
- nonparticipation in political controversies, and
- nonmembership in political organizations and ecclesiastical institutions.
- It must reveal itself in the uncompromising adherence of all, whether young or old,
- to the clearly enunciated and fundamental principles laid down by `Abdu'l-Bahá in His addresses, and
- to the laws and ordinances revealed by Bahá'u'lláh in His Most Holy Book.
- It must be demonstrated in the impartiality of every defender of the Faith against its enemies,
- in his fair-mindedness
- in recognizing any merits that enemy may possess, and
- in his honesty in discharging any obligations he may have towards him.
- It must constitute the brightest ornament of the life, the pursuits, the exertions, and the utterances of every Bahá'í teacher,
- whether laboring at home or abroad,
- whether in the front ranks of the teaching force, or
- occupying a less active and responsible position.
- It must be made the hallmark of that numerically small, yet intensely dynamic and highly responsible body of the elected national representatives of every Bahá'í community, which constitutes the sustaining pillar, and the sole instrument for the election, in every community, of that Universal House whose very name and title, as ordained by Bahá'u'lláh, symbolizes that rectitude of conduct which is its highest mission to safeguard and enforce.
- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated 25 December 1938 to the Bahá'ís of the United States and Canada, published in ‘The Advent of Divine Justice’; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Excellence in All Things)
