Some Quotes from the Baha’i Writings Relating to Moral Education

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Some Quotes from the Baha’i Writings Relating to Moral Education
(Expanded Jan. 5th, 2009)
The fruits of the human tree are exquisite, highly desired and dearly cherished. Among them are upright character, virtuous
deeds and a goodly utterance.... Were the trees of men's lives to be adorned in this divine Springtime with the fruits that have
been mentioned, the effulgence of the light of Justice would, of a certainty, illumine all the dwellers of the earth and everyone
would abide in tranquillity and contentment beneath the sheltering shadow of Him Who is the Object of all mankind. The Water
for these trees is the living water of the sacred Words uttered by the Beloved of the world. In one instant are such trees planted
and in the next their branches shall, through the outpourings of the showers of divine mercy, have reached the skies. A dried-up
tree, however, hath never been nor will be worthy of any mention. ~Baha'u'llah: Tablets of Baha'u'llah, page 257
We prescribe unto all men that which will lead to the exaltation of the Word of God amongst His servants, and likewise, to the
advancement of the world of being and the uplift of souls. To this end, the greatest means is education of the child. To this
must each and all hold fast. We have verily laid this charge upon you in manifold Tablets as well as in My Most Holy Book. Well
is it with him who deferreth thereto.
We ask of God that He will asssist each and every one to obey this inescapable command that hath appeared and been caused
to descend through the Pen of the Ancient of Days. ~Baha'u'llah: Baha'i Education, pages 245-246
Teach ye your children so that they may peruse the divine verses every morn and eve. God hath prescribed unto every father to
educate his children, both boys and girls, in the sciences and in morals, and in crafts and professions....
~Baha'u'llah: The Arts, pages 1-2
The word of God which the Supreme Pen hath recorded on the eighth leaf of the Most Exalted Paradise is the following:
Schools must first train the children in the principles of religion, so that the Promise and the Threat recorded in the Books of God
may prevent them from the things forbidden and adorn them with the mantle of the commandments; but this in such a measure
that it may not injure the children by resulting in ignorant fanaticism and bigotry.
~Baha'u'llah: Tablets of Baha'u'llah, page 68
It is the bounden duty of parents to rear their children to be staunch in faith.... ~Baha'u'llah: Baha'i Education, page 248
Blessed is that teacher who remaineth faithful to the Covenant of God, and occupieth himself with the education of children. For
him hath the Supreme Pen inscribed that reward which is revealed in the Most Holy Book. Blessed, blessed is he!
~Baha'u'llah: Baha'i Education, page 251
Teach ye your children the verses that have been divinely revealed, that they may recite them in most melodious voices. This is
what hath been set down in His mighty Book. As to the children: We have directed that in the beginning they should be trained
in the observances and laws of religion; and thereafter, in such branches of knowledge as are of benefit, and in commercial
pursuits that are distinguished for integrity, and in deeds that will further the victory of God's Cause or will attract some outcome
which will draw the believer closer to his Lord. We beg of God to assist the children of His loved ones and adorn them with
wisdom, good conduct, integrity and righteousness. He, verily, is the Forgiving, the Clement.
~Baha'u'llah: Baha'i Education, pages 250-251
God's purpose in sending His Prophets unto men is twofold. The first is to liberate the children of men from the darkness of
ignorance, and guide them to the light of true understanding. The second is to ensure the peace and tranquillity of mankind, and
provide all the means by which they can be established. ~Baha'u'llah: Gleanings, pages 79-80
Man is even as steel, the essence of which is hidden: through admonition and explanation, good counsel and education, that
essence will be brought to light. If, however, he be allowed to remain in his original condition, the corrosion of lusts and
appetites will effectively destroy him. ~Baha'u'llah: Baha'i Education, page 247
The Purpose of the one true God, exalted be His glory, in revealing Himself unto men is to lay bare those gems that lie hidden
within the mine of their true and inmost selves. ~Baha'u'llah: Gleanings, page 287
He Who is the Eternal Truth hath, from the Day Spring of Glory, directed His eyes towards the people of Baha, and is
addressing them in these words: "Address yourselves to the promotion of the well-being and tranquillity of the children of men.
Bend your minds and wills to the education of the peoples and kindreds of the earth, that haply the dissensions that divide it
may, through the power of the Most Great Name, be blotted out from its face, and all mankind become the upholders of one
Order, and the inhabitants of one City. Illumine and hallow your hearts; let them not be profaned by the thorns of hate or the
thistles of malice. Ye dwell in one world, and have been created through the operation of one Will. Blessed is he who mingleth
with all men in a spirit of utmost kindliness and love.” ~Baha'u'llah: Gleanings, pages 333-334
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That which is of paramount importance for the children, that which must precede all else, is to teach them the oneness of God
and the laws of God. For lacking this, the fear of God cannot be inculcated, and lacking the fear of God an infinity of odious and
abominable actions will spring up, and sentiments will be uttered that transgress all bounds...
The parents must exert every effort to rear their offspring to be religious, for should the children not attain this greatest of
adornments, they will not obey their parents, which in a certain sense means that they will not obey God. Indeed, such children
will show no consideration to anyone, and will do exactly as they please. ~Baha'u'llah: Baha'i Education, page 248
Man is the supreme Talisman. Lack of a proper education hath, however, deprived him of that which he doth inherently
possess. Through a word proceeding out of the mouth of God he was called into being; by one word more he was guided to
recognize the Source of his education; by yet another word his station and destiny were safeguarded. The Great Being saith:
Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable
mankind to benefit therefrom. If any man were to meditate on that which the Scriptures, sent down from the heaven of God's
holy Will, have revealed, he would readily recognize that their purpose is that all men shall be regarded as one soul, so that the
seal bearing the words "The Kingdom shall be God's" may be stamped on every heart, and the light of Divine bounty, of grace,
and mercy may envelop all mankind. ~Baha'u'llah: Gleanings, pages 259-260
......in this new cycle, education and training are recorded in the Book of God as obligatory and not voluntary. That is, it is
enjoined upon the father and mother, as a duty, to strive with all effort to train the daughter and the son, to nurse them from the
breast of knowledge and to rear them in the bosom of sciences and arts. Should they neglect this matter, they shall be held
responsible and worthy of reproach in the presence of the stern Lord.
~`Abdu'l-Baha: Selections from the Writings of`Abdu'l-Baha, pages 126-127
O ye loving mothers, know ye that in God's sight, the best of all ways to worship Him is to educate the children and train them in
all the perfections of humankind; and no nobler deed than this can be imagined.
~Abdu'l-Baha: Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Baha, page 139
Thou didst write as to the children: from the very beginning, the children must receive divine education and must continually be
reminded to remember their God. Let the love of God pervade their inmost being, commingled with their mother's milk. ~Abdu'l-
Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 127
O maid-servants of the Merciful! It is incumbent upon you to train the children from their earliest babyhood! It is incumbent
upon you to beautify their morals! It is incumbent upon you to attend to them under all aspects and circumstances, inasmuch as
God - glorified and exalted is He! - hath ordained mothers to be the primary trainers of children and infants. This is a great and
important affair and a high and exalted position, and it is not allowable to slacken therein at all!
~Abdu'l-Baha: Education, p. 290
Children are even as a branch that is fresh and green; they will grow up in whatever way ye train them. Take the utmost care to
give them high ideals and goals, so that once they come of age, they will cast their beams like brilliant candles on the world, and
will not be defiled by lusts and passions in the way of animals, heedless and unaware, but instead will set their hearts on
achieving everlasting honour and acquiring all the excellences of humankind.
~Abdu'l-Baha: Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Baha, page 136
Let the mothers consider that whatever concerneth the education of children is of the first importance. Let them put forth every
effort in this regard, for when the bough is green and tender it will grow in whatever way ye train it. Therefore is it incumbent
upon the mothers to rear their little ones even as a gardener tendeth his young plants. Let them strive by day and by night to
establish within their children faith and certitude, the fear of God, the love of the Beloved of the worlds, and all good qualities
and traits. Whensoever a mother seeth that her child hath done well, let her praise and applaud him and cheer his heart; and if
the slightest undesirable trait should manifest itself, let her counsel the child and punish him, and use means based on reason,
even a slight verbal chastisement should this be necessary. It is not, however, permissible to strike a child, or vilify him, for the
child's character will be totally perverted if he be subjected to blows or verbal abuse.
~`Abdu'l-Baha: Selections from the Writings of`Abdu'l-Baha, page 125
From their earliest days, thoroughly train them, rear them to have a goodly character and good morals, guide them to all the
virtues of humankind, prevent the development of any behaviour that would be worthy of blame, and foster them in the embrace
of Baha'i education. Thus shall these tender infants be nurtured at the breast of the knowledge of God and His love. Thus shall
they grow and flourish, and be taught righteousness and the dignity of humankind, resolution and the will to strive and to endure.
Thus shall they learn perseverance in all things, the will to advance, high mindedness and high resolve, chastity and purity of
life. Thus shall they be enabled to carry to a successful conclusion whatsoever they undertake. ~Abdu'l-Baha: Selections from
the Writings of `Abdu'l-Baha, pages 124-125
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Give them (the children) the advantage of every useful kind of knowledge. Let them share in every new and rare and wondrous
craft and art. Bring them up to work and strive, and accustom them to hardship. Teach them to dedicate their lives to matters of
great import, and inspire them to undertake studies that will benefit mankind. ~Abdu'l-Baha: Selections from the Writings of
`Abdu'l-Baha, page 129
.....most important of all is the education of girl children, for these girls will one day be mothers, and the mother is the first
teacher of the child. In whatever way she reareth the child, so will the child become, and the results of that first training will
remain with the individual throughout his entire life, and it would be most difficult to alter them. And how can a mother, herself
ignorant and untrained, educate her child? It is therefore clear that the education of girls is of far greater consequence than that
of boys. This fact is extremely important, and the matter must be seen to with the greatest energy and dedication.
~`Abdu'l-Baha: Education, page 286
...rear them so that from their earliest days, within their inmost heart, their very nature, a way of life will be firmly established that
will conform to the divine Teachings in all things. ~Abdu'l-Baha: Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Baha, page 126
The purport is this, that to train the character of humankind is one of the weightiest commandments of God, and the influence of
such training is the same as that which the sun exerteth over tree and fruit. Children must be most carefully watched over,
protected and trained; in such consisteth true parenthood and parental mercy. ~`Abdu'l-Baha: Education, page 263
.....favour character and conduct above the sciences and arts. Good behaviour and high moral character must come first, for
unless the character be trained, acquiring knowledge will only prove injurious. Knowledge is praiseworthy when it is coupled
with ethical conduct and virtuous character; otherwise it is a deadly poison, a frightful danger.
~`Abdu'l-Baha: Education, page 278
But the indispensable basis of all is that he (the child) should develop spiritual characteristics and the praiseworthy virtues of
humankind. This is the primary consideration. If a person be unlettered, and yet clothed with divine excellence, and alive in the
breaths of the Spirit, that individual will contribute to the welfare of society, and his inability to read and write will do him no harm.
And if a person be versed in the arts and every branch of knowledge, and not live a religious life, and not take on the
characteristics of God, and not be directed by a pure intent, and be engrossed in the life of the flesh - then he is harm
personified, and nothing will come of all his learning and intellectual accomplishments but scandal and torment.
If, however, an individual hath spiritual characteristics, and virtues that shine out, and his purpose in life be spiritual and his
inclinations be directed toward God, and he also study other branches of knowledge -then we have light upon light: his outer
being luminous, his private character radiant, his heart sound, his thought elevated, his understanding swift, his rank noble.
~`Abdu'l-Baha: Education, page 282
Good character must be taught. Light must be spread afar, so that, in the school of humanity, all may acquire the heavenly
characteristics of the spirit, and see for themselves beyond any doubt that there is no fiercer hell, no more fiery abyss, than to
possess a character that is evil and unsound; no more darksome pit nor loathsome torment than to show forth qualities which
deserve to be condemned.
The individual must be educated to such a high degree that he would rather have his throat cut than tell a lie, and would think
it easier to be slashed with a sword or pierced with a spear than to utter calumny or be carried away by wrath.
Thus will be kindled the sense of human dignity and pride, to burn away the reapings of lustful appetites. Then will each one
of God's beloved shine out as a bright moon with qualities of the spirit, and the relationship of each to the Sacred Threshold of
his Lord will be not illusory but sound and real, will be as the very foundation of the building, not some embellishment on its
facade. ~Abdu'l-Baha: Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Baha, pages 136-137
As to thy question regarding the education of children: it behoveth thee to nurture them at the breast of the love of God, and
urge them onward to the things of the spirit, that they may turn their faces unto God; that their ways may conform to the rules of
good conduct and their character be second to none; that they make their own all the graces and praiseworthy qualities of
humankind; acquire a sound knowledge of the various branches of learning, so that from the very beginning of life they may
become spiritual beings, dwellers in the Kingdom, enamoured of the sweet breaths of holiness, and may receive an education
religious, spiritual, and of the Heavenly Realm. Verily will I call upon God to grant them a happy outcome in this.
~Abdu'l-Baha: Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Baha, page 142
For you I desire spiritual distinction - that is, you must become eminent and distinguished in morals. In the love of God you must
become distinguished from all else. You must become distinguished for loving humanity, for unity and accord, for love and
justice. In brief, you must become distinguished in all the virtues of the human world - for faithfulness and sincerity, for justice
and fidelity, for firmness and steadfastness, for philanthropic deeds and service to the human world, for love toward every
human being, for unity and accord with all people, for removing prejudices and promoting international peace. Finally, you must
become distinguished for heavenly illumination and for acquiring the bestowals of God. I desire this distinction for you.
~`Abdu'l-Baha: Promulgation of Universal Peace, page 190
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In a time to come, morals will degenerate to an extreme degree. It is essential that children be reared in the Baha'i way, that
they may find happiness both in this world and the next. If not, they shall be beset by sorrows and troubles, for human
happiness is founded upon spiritual behaviour. ~Abdu'l-Baha: Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Baha, page 127
.....the purpose of religion is the acquisition of praiseworthy virtues, the betterment of morals, the spiritual development of
mankind..... ~`Abdu'l-Baha, Promulgation of Universal Peace, page 152
The education and training of children is among the most meritorious acts of humankind and draweth down the grace and
favour of the All-Merciful, for education is the indispensable foundation of all human excellence and alloweth man to work his
way to the heights of abiding glory. If a child be trained from his infancy, he will, through the loving care of the Holy Gardener,
drink in the crystal waters of the spirit and of knowledge, like a young tree amid the rilling brooks. And certainly he will gather to
himself the bright rays of the Sun of Truth, and through its light and heat will grow ever fresh and fair in the garden of life.
Therefore must the mentor be a doctor as well: that is, he must, in instructing the child, remedy its faults; must give him
learning, and at the same time rear him to have a spiritual nature. Let the teacher be a doctor to the character of the child, thus
will he heal the spiritual ailments of the children of men.
If, in this momentous task, a mighty effort be exerted, the world of humanity will shine out with other adornings, and shed the
fairest light. Then will this darksome place grow luminous, and this abode of earth turn into Heaven.
~Abdu'l-Baha: Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Baha, pages 129-130
I give you my advice, and it is this: Train these children with divine exhortations. From their childhood instill in their hearts the
love of God so they may manifest in their lives the fear of God and have confidence in the bestowals of God. Teach them to free
themselves from human imperfections and to acquire the divine perfections latent in the heart of man. The life of man is useful if
he attains the perfections of man. If he becomes the center of the imperfections of the world of humanity, death is better than
life, and nonexistence better than existence. Therefore, make ye an effort in order that these children may be rightly trained and
educated and that each one of them may attain perfection in the world of humanity. Know ye the value of these children, for they
are all my children. ~`Abdu'l-Baha: Promulgation of Universal Peace, pages 53-54
Therefore, the beloved of God and the maid-servants of the Merciful must train their children with life and heart and teach them
in the school of virtue and perfection. They must not be lax in this matter; they must not be inefficient. Truly, if a babe did not live
at all it were better than to let it grow ignorant, for that innocent babe, in later life, would become afflicted with innumerable
defects, responsible to and questioned by God, reproached and rejected by the people. What a sin this would be and what an
omission! ~Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith, p. 398
It is to the youth that we should look for help, and it is, therefore, the sacred obligation of the parents to provide their children
with a thorough Baha'i training. ~Shoghi Effendi: Baha'i Education, page 300
The art of music is divine and effective. It is the food of the soul and spirit. Through the power and charm of music the spirit of
man is uplifted. It has wonderful sway and effect in the hearts of children, for their hearts are pure, and melodies have great
influence in them. The latent talents with which the hearts of these children are endowed will find expression through the
medium of music. Therefore, you must exert yourselves to make them proficient; teach them to sing with excellence and effect.
It is incumbent upon each child to know something of music, for without knowledge of this art the melodies of instrument and
voice cannot be rightly enjoyed. Likewise, it is necessary that the schools teach it in order that the souls and hearts of the pupils
may become vivified and exhilarated and their lives be brightened with enjoyment. ~Abdu'l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal
Peace, p. 52