Strength that exceeds its bounds turns into weakness, Bahá’u’lláh warns, and in that reversal moderation stops being a timid virtue and becomes an art of judgment. Everything has its station, measure and limit; life in the contingent world depends on measure and timely action together, so that the right thing done at the wrong moment can still destroy. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá will not deprecate comfort, admitting He would move to a better house if He found one, but He refuses a life developed on one side only, whether the ideal or the physical, and He extends the same proportion to wealth, to the speed of ships and trains, and to the pace of a whole civilization. The body itself teaches the lesson: health is an equilibrium of elements, and illness the surfeit of one against another. The Buddha asking Soṇa how a lute sounds when its strings are too tight or too slack makes the same point about effort [1], and what a practitioner must learn to notice. The way continues toward health and healing, toward frugality and simplicity, and toward the moderation of wealth and poverty.
Moderation is necessary in all things, for if strength exceedeth its bounds it turneth into weakness.
O friends! The Most Exalted Pen counseleth you and biddeth you to that which exalteth the Word of God and uplifteth souls. Hold fast unto moderation in all conditions and speak with equity in all matters.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1306-01-25 [1888-Oct-1], to Aqa Muhammad Rahim (pilgrim) et al -- BH11709)
02
For all things there is fixed a station, measure and limit.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1299 ? [1881-1882], to Isma'il et al -- BH07326)
03
For in the contingent world, the life and salvation of everything depends on moderation and timely action, while its death and destruction comes from exceeding moderation and untimely action.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1913-Jun-07 in Paris -- ABU2063)
04
There should be the perfect balance, the spiritual and the physical. A man whose ideal side only is developed is also imperfect. We do not deprecate comfort. If I could find a better house than this I would certainly move into it. But man should not think of comfort alone.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Percy Grant, spoken around 1912-Jul-12 -- ABU1926)
05
'Abdu'l-Baha replied, "The more the souls advance in material things and the more they act with moderation, the more they can acquire capacity for spirituality.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Address to the Baha'is at 309 W 78th St in New York, 1912-Jun-04 -- ABU2137)
06
When fate approaches, be not elated, and when it retreats be not saddened, and when it smiles do not laugh, and when it frowns and darkens do not be disturbed or anxious. You must practice moderation, you must rely on God, you must be balanced.
Nighttime is for resting and comfort, and the day must be devoted to work, industry and earning a living. All animals sleep after sunset. Children, following their innate nature, go to sleep as soon as they drink their evening milk or eat their supper. What God has created has the utmost balance, but man corrupts His ways. "There does not exist in the contingent world better than what is created."
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Talk to pilgrims at Haifa pilgrim house, 1914-Oct-23 -- ABU0546)
08
However, do not let go of wisdom and do not tear away the veil. Moderation in all things is desirable so that it does not cause the jealousy and envy of others.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1919-Jul-02, to Fazlullah Banan -- AB03671)
09
However, do not set aside wisdom. Grand displays and demonstrations cause envy and tumult among the deniers. It is better to observe moderation.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1919-Jun-20, to Prince Muhammad Rida Muqarrab -- AB03403)
10
However, absolute equality is just as untenable, for complete equality in wealth, power, commerce, agriculture and industry would result in chaos and disorder, disrupt livelihoods, provoke universal discontent, and undermine the orderly conduct of the affairs of the community. For unjustified equality is also fraught with peril. It is preferable then that some measure of moderation be achieved; and by moderation is meant the enactment of such laws and regulations as would prevent the unwarranted concentration of wealth in the hands of the few and satisfy the essential needs of the many.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Chapter 78, Strikes, 1904 ca. -- AB00099)
11
Moderation should be practiced in all things.
Be temperate, even in the size of the ships you build and in their speed; in your railroads and the schedules you expect your trains to maintain.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1912-Apr-20 in Washington -- ABU3029)
12
All created beings are dependent upon peace and coordination, for every contingent and phenomenal being is a composition of distinct elements.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Public address given at All Souls Church on 1912-May-05 -- ABU0137)
13
The outer, physical causal factor in disease, however, is a disturbance in the balance, the proportionate equilibrium of all those elements of which the human body is composed. To illustrate: the body of man is a compound of many constituent substances, each component being present in a prescribed amount, contributing to the essential equilibrium of the whole. So long as these constituents remain in their due proportion, according to the natural balance of the whole--that is, no component suffereth a change in its natural proportionate degree and balance, no component being either augmented or decreased--there will be no physical cause for the incursion of disease.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1908-Dec or <, to William Jay Moore -- AB00162)
14
As to physical agents, which are the primary cause of illness, their effect is due to the following: The human body is composed of numerous elements according to a particular state of equilibrium. So long as this equilibrium is maintained, man is preserved from sickness, but should this fundamental balance, which is the central requirement of a sound constitution, be upset, the constitution will be disrupted and illnesses will supervene.
For instance, if there is a deficiency in one of the component parts of the body and a surfeit of another, the state of equilibrium is disturbed and illness occurs.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Chapter 73, Healing by Material Means, 1904-Oct ca. -- AB00646)
15
If one is fully cognizant of the reason for the incursion of disease and can determine the balance of elements, he can cure diseases by administering the food that can restore the normal level of the deficient element.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken at Hotel Schenley in Pittsburgh, 1912-May-07 -- ABU3275)
16
O servant of Truth! Neither compulsion nor complete free will, neither constraint nor dominion. "The truth lies between the two extremes" means that existence is bestowed by God but the performance of deeds comes from creation.
… This is the meaning of "between the two extremes."
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1911-Jul-01, to Ghulam-Husayn Mirza -- AB04687)
17
Though this madness be indeed possessed of every art and outwardly serene, yet, since the time is not propitious, do Thou, through Thy grace and bounty, so abate its force that it break not that blessed chain, nor wholly sever that closely intertwined bond. Neither let excessive reason and learning hinder the diffusion of those welcome fragrances, nor let that many-sided madness, beloved though it be, shatter its chain. O God, bestow moderation, and vouchsafe the grace of the middle way!
In the blessed days [of Baha'u'llah] there was a person infatuated with the love of God.
Know thou that the first thing that came into being from the Ancient Originator in the worlds of creation was the four elements, which are fire, air, water and earth, as ye have heard before and now hear again. Then appeared the four natures, which are heat, moisture, cold and dryness, as ye reckon and know. When these combined and united, there appeared for each one two qualities: for fire, heat and dryness, and likewise for the remaining three. Know ye these principles, for by them God created all that is in the worlds of creation, both the celestial and terrestrial. Whatsoever hath balanced qualities endureth through time, as ye observe in the sun and moon, and that which hath unbalanced qualities perisheth ere long, as ye behold in the creation of the lower worlds.
(Bahá’u’lláh, Tafsir-i-Hurufat-i-Muqatta'ih (Commentary on the Disconnected Letters) = Lawh-i-Ayat-i-Nur (Tablet of the Verse of Light), to Mirza Aqa Rikabsaz Shirazi -- BH00020)
19
Moderation is necessary in all affairs. Man must take a lesson from divine actions and deeds for God suffers a tree to grow a long time before it attains to perfection. He is able to make a tree grow to fruition in an instant, but wisdom requires a gradual development.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1910-Apr-03, to Ida A Finch -- AB11424)
20
The elements and lower organisms are synchronized in the great plan of life.
From the fellowship and commingling of the elemental atoms life results. In their harmony and blending there is ever newness of existence. It is radiance, completeness; it is consummation; it is life itself.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Public address at Stanford University on 1912-Oct-08 -- ABU0008)
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21
Whoso cleaveth to justice, can, under no circumstances, transgress the limits of moderation.... The civilization, so often vaunted by the learned exponents of arts and sciences, will, if allowed to overleap the bounds of moderation, bring great evil upon men.... If carried to excess, civilization will prove as prolific a source of evil as it had been of goodness when kept within the restraints of moderation.... The day is approaching when its flame will devour the cities.... All other things are subject to this same principle of moderation.
GWB#164 p342-343
Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified
Sentence boundary needs source review; the supplied wording is retained.