, Honesty is the door of tranquillity to all in the world,
and the sign of glory from the presence of the Merciful One.
Whosoever attains thereto has attained to treasures of wealth and
affluence. Honesty is the greatest door to the security and
tranquillity of mankind. The stability of every affair always
depends on it, and the worlds of honor, glory and affluence are
illumined by its light....

O people of Baha! Honesty is the best garment for your temples and
the most splendid crown for your heads. Adhere thereto by the
Command of the Omnipotent Commander.

Again He says:--"The principle of faith is to lessen words and to increase
deeds. He who words exceed his acts, know verily, that his nonbeing is
better than his being, his death better than his life."

'Abdu'l-Baha says:--

Truthfulness is the foundation of all the virtues of mankind.
Without truthfulness, progress and success in all of the worlds
are impossible for a soul. When this holy attribute is established
in man, all the other divine qualities will also become realized.

Let the light of truth and honesty shine from your faces so that
all may know that your word, in business or pleasure, is a word to
trust and be sure of. Forget self and work for the whole. (Message
to the London Baha'is, October 1911).

Self-Realization

Baha'u'llah constantly urges men to realize and give full expression to
the perfections latent within them--the true inner self as distinguished
from the limited outer self, which at best is but the temple, and too
often is the prison of the real man. In the Hidden Words He says:--

O Son of Being!

With the hands of power I made thee and with the fingers of
strength I created thee; and within thee have I placed the essence
of My light. Be thou content with it and seek naught else, for My
work is perfect and My command is binding. Question it not, nor
have a doubt thereof.

O Son of Spirit!

I created thee rich, why dost thou bring thyself down to poverty?
Noble I made thee, wherewith dost thou abase thyself? Out of the
essence of knowledge I gave thee being, why seekest thou
enlightenment from anyone beside Me? Out of the clay of love I
molded thee, how dost thou busy thyself with another? Turn thy
sight unto thyself, that thou mayest find Me standing within thee,
mighty, power