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111: The root cause of wrongdoing is ignorance, and ...
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The root cause of wrongdoing is ignorance, and we must therefore hold fast to the tools of perception and
knowledge. 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.
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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.
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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 façade.
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It followeth that the children's school must be a place of
utmost discipline and order, that instruction must be
thorough, and provision must be made for the rectification
and refinement of character; so that, in his earliest years,
within the very essence of the child, the divine foundation
will be laid and the structure of holiness raised up.
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Know that this matter of instruction, of character rectification
and refinement, of heartening and encouraging the
child, is of the utmost importance, for such are basic
principles of God.
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Thus, if God will, out of these spiritual schools illumined
children will arise, adorned with all the fairest virtues of
humankind, and will shed their light not only across Persia,
but around the world.
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It is extremely difficult to teach the individual and refine
his character once puberty is passed. By then, as experience
hath shown, even if every effort be exerted to modify some
tendency of his, it all availeth nothing. He may, perhaps,
improve somewhat today; but let a few days pass and he
forgetteth, and turneth backward to his habitual condition
and accustomed ways. Therefore it is in early childhood
that a firm foundation must be laid. While the branch is
green and tender it can easily be made straight.
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Our meaning is that qualities of the spirit are the basic
and divine foundation, and adorn the true essence of man;
and knowledge is the cause of human progress. The beloved
of God must attach great importance to this matter, and
carry it forward with enthusiasm and zeal.
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