O My brother! When a true seeker determineth to take the
step of search in the path leading unto the knowledge of the Ancient of Days he
must… at all times, put his trust in God, must renounce the peoples of the
earth, must detach himself from the world of dust, and cleave unto Him Who is
the Lord of Lords. He must never seek to exalt himself above any one, must wash
away from the tablet of his heart every trace of pride and vain-glory, must
cling unto patience and resignation, observe silence and refrain from idle
talk. For the tongue is a smoldering fire, and excess of speech a deadly
poison. Material fire consumeth the body, whereas the fire of the tongue
devoureth both heart and soul. The force of the former lasteth but for a time,
whilst the effects of the latter endureth a century.
- Baha’u’llah (‘Gleanings
from the Writings of Baha’u’llah’)
