Surely the ideal way of teaching is to prove our points by
constant reference to the actual words of Bahá'u'lláh and the Master. This will
save the Cause from being misinterpreted by individuals. It is what these
divine Lights say that is truth and therefore should be the authorities of our
statements. This, however, does not mean that our freedom of expression is
limited. We can always find new ways of approach to that truth or explain how they influence our life and condition. The more deep our studies
the more we can understand the significance of the teachings.
In this Cause we cannot divorce the letter from the spirit
of the words. As Bahá'u'lláh says we should take the outward significance and
super-impose upon it the inner. Either without the other is wrong and
defective.
- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated 16 February 1932 written on behalf of Shoghi
Effendi to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, The
Importance of Deepening Our Knowledge and Understanding of the Faith)
