Some wounds leave no mark that anyone can see. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá calls the best of people the one who gladdens the broken-hearted and the worst the one who brings pain to a heart, and His warnings against grieving any soul or making anyone lose hope ring out with unusual urgency. The concern reaches into the home, in the counsel to treat a father with the utmost love, and outward to every kind of person one meets, where moderation and vigilance become daily disciplines. The Báb goes further still: to grieve a believer is to grieve Him, and to bring joy to one is to gladden Him. Even hard truths are to be spoken gently, as God bade Moses and Aaron address Pharaoh with mild words [1]. Such tenderness does not weaken honesty; it makes honesty bearable. From here the path leads to becoming a source of light for others, to the nature of true guidance, and to the plainer harms that the hand, and not only the tongue, can do.
The best man is that person who cheers and gladdens the broken-hearted ones and the worst man is that soul who causes suffering and pain to one's heart. Consequently strive as much s you are able to rejoice the hearts and uplifts the spirits.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken at Pleiades Sylvan Bower, Alhammeh near Tiberias, 1914-May-10 -- ABU3383)
02
Beware, beware of grieving any heart! Beware, beware of hurting any soul! Beware, beware of acting contrary to love toward anyone! Beware, beware of making anyone lose hope! Any soul who causes sorrow to a heart and despair to a soul - if they were to seek shelter in the depths of the earth it would be better than moving about upon it.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1910-Nov-11, to Baha'is of New York -- AB00861)
03
However, thou must treat thy father with the utmost love. Any action that would cause him harm or grief is not acceptable.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1299-09 [1882-Jul], to Aqa Mirza Ali Rashti -- BH05857)
04
Exercise caution that no one, of whatever type of person, be made sorrowful by you. Great moderation is necessary, and likewise be vigilant and alert that no one should cause harm.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Shaykh Muhammad Ali (Nabil son of Nabil) -- AB09128)
05
Grieve not any soul in the Bayan, for if ye grieve one who believeth in God, it is as though ye were grieving the Gates of Guidance, and the Gates of Glory, and the Gates of the Primal One, and the Seven Letters, and indeed, it is as though ye were grieving Me. Likewise, if ye bring joy to any soul in the Bayan, it returneth unto Me, as though ye were bringing joy unto Me.
(The Báb, Ayati allati Nuzzilat fi Yaumi'l-'Arafa, 1265-09-12 [1849-Aug-1] -- BB00234)
06
Moderation, moderation. You must speak in such a manner that not a single soul will be offended.
… You must speak and write in such a manner as not to offend anyone. The Lord addressed Moses and Aaron saying when you go to [Pharaoh], speak in a moderate, sweet language.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Latimer and Remey, spoken on 1914-Oct-09 -- ABU1042)