Man is like a tree. The tree lives to produce fruit. The fruit of man is love.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Julia Grundy spoken around Jan. 1905 -- ABU2911)
Bearing fruit: what a life gives to others
bringing forth results; fruit
Editorial introduction
A tree may tower and stay green all summer and still give no one anything to eat. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá returns to that image again and again, and it carries a gentle severity: the fruit of a human life, he says, is love, and with it truthfulness, trustworthiness, regard for parents, and conduct that makes faith believable to those who watch. Bahá’u’lláh calls His servants the trees of His garden and asks that others may profit from what they bear. Neither a long life nor polished learning settles the matter; some trees ripen early, and their brief season is already complete. Jesus, in Luke, traces good fruit back to the treasure of the heart [1], and here too the outward harvest depends on what grows within. Such fruit is never forced. It needs rain, light and patient tending, gifts that come from beyond the tree itself. The questions it raises lead naturally toward the cultivation of the soul as living soil, toward work offered as worship, and toward the quiet radiance of goodly deeds.
Selected passages
A tree must be fruitful; it may be very tall, very verdant, but yielding no fruits. The fruits of the tree of human life are the Love of God, magnetic, spiritual susceptibilities, heavenly illumination, the knowledge of God, praiseworthy attributes, good morals and conducts.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1914-Jun-01 in Tiberias -- ABU2179)
The fruits of the tree of existence are trustworthiness, religion, truthfulness and sincerity, and greatest of all, after the oneness of God, exalted and mighty be He, is due regard for the rights of parents.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1300 or > ? [1882-1883], to Qasim -- BH02956)
I hope that each one of you may become a tree laden with delicious fruits for the healing of the nations!
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken to Baha'is of the World at Bahji, 1913-Dec-25 -- ABU1523)
Consider for example a tree - before its fruits appear, if it is described, some people will acknowledge it while others will waver between acceptance and denial until the fruits appear. And after the fruit appears, if it is bitter, they will surely reject the descriptions of that describer and all will arise in denial, both those who wavered and those who accepted. Thus the tree of human existence becomes known and proven by the fruits of deeds, and all observe its acts and deeds. If they find them good and pleasant they will surely accept, and without this they will surely turn away.
(Bahá’u’lláh, to Habib the other son (son of Ali Qabl-i-Nabil) -- BH00331)
A. It is as difficult for the human mind to understand the Essence of God as for the watch to understand its maker, but through the Manifestations it becomes easier to understand His Spirit and therefore to draw near it. Otherwise, we must form for ourselves a mental conception of God, which may be a false one. The only test of its truth lies in the influence this conception has upon our lives; if it makes us kind and loving in our relations with our fellow-men, we may know it is a true one. In other words, it must produce in our hearts a love of God, which must be transmuted into love for man.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Aline Shane-Devin spoken on 1907-Oct-14 -- ABU2607)
As to mystical experiences: most assuredly the saints and mystics had real experiences. The proof of the experience was its fruit. If the result was spiritual we might know the experience was from God.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Dickinson Miller recalled by Juliet Thompson, spoken on 1911-Aug-24 -- ABU2794)
That which is truly spiritual must light the path to God, and must result in deeds. We cannot believe the call to be spiritual when there is no result. Spirit is reality, and when the spirit in each of us seeks to join itself with the Great Reality, it must in turn give life.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken in Sep. 1911 in London -- ABU2285)
(Bahá’u’lláh, Hidden Words - Persian, 1274 ca. [1857-1858] -- BH00113)
(Bahá’u’lláh, Kalimat-i-Firdawsiyyih (Words of Paradise), 1306-11-26 [1889-Jul-24], to Haji Mirza Haydar Ali Isfahani -- BH00111)
What is the sum-total and upshot of farming, ploughing, sowing the seeds and irrigating? Is there any of the thought behind all these labors save the gathering of crops? If the sheaves are only green and verdant but having no grains of wheats or barleys, the result is not achieved. The aim has not been the luxuriant verdancy of the field, but the richness of the harvest. I hope the believers will do their utmost to crown their lives with abundant harvest.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to some Zoroastrian Baha'is, spoken on 1914-May-06 -- ABU0603)
The tree, no matter how green or beautiful it may be, if it is not fruitful, it is useless. So you will see many trees which are green and fresh, but produce no fruit. In the same way you see a man in the world who is very wise, learned, refined, accomplished, and diplomatic, but he is deprived of the Bounty of the Kingdom, and will not possess a share of it. But it is possible to see a man who is not accomplished or educated but who still has a share in the Bounty of the Kingdom, and when he attains to the Bounty of the Kingdom, of course he will be a fruitful tree.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Ida Finch and Fanny and Alma Knobloch, spoken on 1908-Nov-08 -- ABU1319)
...man is like unto a tree, and trees yield diverse fruits. A goodly tree must needs bring forth delectable fruits, that its true nature and essence may emerge from behind the veil of potentiality and become clear and manifest. For this is the age of resurrection and gathering, when the reality of all things becomes evident and apparent.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1903 ca., to Nadim (Pilgrim) -- AB02952)
Now is the time for fruit and yield, and the season for the manifestation of what lies hidden in every tree. Bring forth jewels and scatter delectable fruits.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Muhammad Rida -- AB05839)
Now, O trees of divine gardens, it is the time of fruit and harvest, and O saplings of the paradise of the Merciful's love, it is the season of verdure and freshness, the moment of blossoms and flowering and roses and blooms.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá -- AB04634)
Now is the time for the appearance of fruit.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1909-Jun-12, to Aqa Muhammad Husayn son of Pir-i Rawhani -- AB00558)
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1906-Dec-09, to Hannen, Paul et al -- AB08080)
We have nothing to do with the past. "What has passed is past. And what is to come has not appeared. Therefore do not compare two nothings." If any of them becomes a believer in this Day, then he is considered the essence of the world of humanity. If a tree was fruit-bearing in the past but is now dead, then it is no longer a tree. Today, it must manifest harvests and fruits. In short, there must be benefits in our endeavors, and we must consider each moment precious.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to the friends spoken in Dec. 1907 -- ABU2589)
If a tree fails to become verdant and flourishing in the springtime through the life-giving divine breeze, and yields no blossoms or fruit, in what season will it become verdant and in what time will it yield fruit? Surely it will be forever deprived and eternally hopeless.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1908-Nov-12, to Ekstein, Atto et al -- AB00600)
Now that the divine springtime has ended and the spiritual spring has been rolled up, now that the delicacy of rose and hyacinth--the True Beauty--has been concealed, and the grace and beauty of the Most Glorious Beloved has shown forth in the Most Exalted Kingdom and the Heaven of Immortality and other realms, the trees of the realities of God's loved ones in the gardens of God's Cause must bring forth sweet and goodly fruits and fresh and wondrous spiritual produce. Otherwise they will have gained no portion or share from that divine spring, will have been deprived of the bounty of the April showers of the Lord God's outpourings, will have been left despairing of the life-giving breezes from the gardens of oneness, and will deserve only to be burned as fuel.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1893-Jan-31, to Baha'is of Turbat -- AB01122)
"The life of man will at last end in this world. We must all take out of this life some fruit. The tree of one's existence must bear fruit. If a tree has not fruit you must cut it down and burn it. It would be useless for other purposes.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Kinney, Beede, Thompson party, spoken on 1909-Jul-02 -- ABU1655)
Human souls must bring forth fruit during their sojourn in this evanescent world, for a fruitless tree is but fit for the fire.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1911-May ca., to Committee of Spiritual Assembly of Tihran -- AB04333)
A human being without result is like a tree without fruit.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1296-05 [1879-Apr], to Haji Muhammad Husayn T -- BH08142)
Existence is like a tree, and man is the fruit. If the fruit be sweet and agreeable, all is well, but if it be bitter it were far better there were none. Every man who has known the celestial bestowals is verily a treasury; if he remain ignorant of them, his non-existence were better than his existence. The tree which does not bring forth fruit is fit only for the fire.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá -- ABU1016)
In due season the trees must not only produce leaves and blossoms, but fruits.
If a number of trees do not fulfill this universal requirement they are good only for so much dried wood.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1914-Feb-27 in Haifa -- ABU3053)
Trees are of two kinds: those that bear fruit and those that are barren. The fruit-bearing tree is transformed into light and shineth forth from the horizon of posterity. The barren one hath ever been and will continue to be fit for the fire.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1306 ? [1888-1889], to Aziz -- BH09671)
The purpose of life is to get certain results; that is, the life of man must bring forth certain fruitage. It does not depend upon the length of life. As soon as the life is crowned with fruition then it is completed, although that person may have had a short life. There are certain trees which come to fruition very quickly, but there are other trees which attain to fruition very late; the aim is fruit.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1912-Oct-19 in Los Angeles -- ABU1288)
The results in life are the important things. A man may live a hundred years and if his life be not fruitful, it is of no importance. If he lives here a very short time and his life be fruitful, it is equivalent to being here a hundred thousand years. Importance is to be attached to fruitage. Now, praise God, Mr. Chase did yield fruit.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Mrs Chase, spoken at Hotel Lankershim on 1912-Oct-19 -- ABU1194)
The purpose of coming into the world of existence is to attain a praiseworthy result, which is faith, certitude and love for the Lord God. Since that has occurred and the complete result was achieved, it matters not if life was but a moment and joy lasted but a breath. However, if one lives a thousand years without achieving such a result, there would be nothing but manifest loss. What benefit is there in such length of life? Indeed, death would be better than such a state.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1905 ca., to Rayhan Rayhani -- AB10616)
When man departs from this mortal life, he must see in a tangible manner the accumulated results of his several scores of life, and observe whether any good is accomplished by him or not.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to some Arab Baha'is, spoken on board the SS Baron Call at sea, 1913-Dec-03 -- ABU2851)
But when one reflects, one should see that his life has been spent in matters that have yielded magnificent results, that their lives are like pure seeds that have formed abundant harvests. This is joy, this is delight.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken at German hostel in Tiberias, 1916-Sep-26 -- ABU1988)
Likewise every day of human life has the status of a leaf from the book and is counted as a page from its pages, and every month is a compilation and every year a manifest book. And deeds and manners and words and actions and conditions and character are like designs and drawings and lines and writing.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1893 ca., to Asadullah Anari -- AB03013)
As the poet says:
"This world is like a mountain, and our deeds the call;
The echoes of our calls return to us all."
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1912 ca., to Haji Mirza Muhammad Yazdi Alaqihband -- AB08005)
Therefore strive that in this world and in the world of the Kingdom thou mayst deposit a treasury and leave behind a trace and a result; - so that day unto day thou mayst become more favored in the divine Threshold and be classed as one of the most faithful and sincere servants of His Holiness Baha'u'llah.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1913-Mar-29 ca. -- AB05473)
You must sow seeds the trees of which may yield fruits for all eternity.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on board the SS Baron Call at sea, 1913-Dec-03 -- ABU2835)
Look at the people of the world and observe them carefully. You will see that they are like farmers or gardeners, and though life to all these farmers is very dear yet they are planting the seed of life in poor soil or in sterile ground. The seeds sown in sterile ground are absolutely of no value. Those that are sown in poor soil will grow a while, but later they will wither away and be without result.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1912-Oct-17 in San Francisco -- ABU1293)
Plant such a sapling that it may become fruitful, and nurture such a tree that it may yield fresh fruit.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Ali Muhammad Navvab -- AB03226)
In this Cause, he who is active and who makes an effort will always meet with success. In worldly matters how often we see a man work hard for a lifetime and never achieve success. But the worker in the cause of God is like a gardener. The more attention he gives his garden, the more fruit will reward his efforts, or, like the traveler who has a great goal before him, no matter how hard the road, if he only keep on walking and is not turned aside by discouragements, he is sure, eventually, to reach his goal.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Helen Goodall and Ella Cooper spoken in Jan. 1908 -- ABU2868)
The sun will shine on it, and it will bear fruits and bring forth goodly results.
It is the same as you have stated.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to the friends spoken in Dec. 1907 -- ABU2212)
In any case, since the flame of the Mount and ray of light hath shone upon that yearning heart, like unto Moses thou must say "Verily I perceive a fire" and day by day draw nearer to that divine kindled fire, so that praiseworthy fruit may appear from the tree of being and heavenly effulgences may become manifest and apparent from the illumined heart.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1900 or < -- AB03489)
Arise and fulfil the admonitions of the Abha Beauty and follow the path of His counsels so that the glancing beams of thy spirit might illumine the world of humanity and thou mayest guide other souls, and may grow to be a fruit-laden tree in the garden of the All Glorious.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1908-Jul-02, to Mrs Cundall -- AB04656)
This is the fruit of existence and this is the divine bounty in the world of the seen and unseen.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Baha'is of Faran -- AB11733)
Fruits must be the results of these visits. Patients go to a hospital. Some leave but slightly improved. Some leave more ill than when they entered. And some leave entirely cured. I hope you will be of those who are entirely cured.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Miss Rogers, spoken on 1909-Jul-05 -- ABU1279)
Let them render forth a goodly harvest and not become futile and fruitless trees.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1906-Dec-03, to Nurullah son of Javan Rawhani et al -- AB03781)
Become fruitful trees, give sweet fruits, and provide shade so that the soul of 'Abdu'l-Baha may be gladdened and the heart of this wronged one may be freed from the bonds of sorrows.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Baha'is of Bombay -- AB02438)
This cycle is the cycle of the most great name, its mercy is universal, its grace and bounty inclusive of the near and far ones extend to the servants, the eager thanks of Abdul-Baha and remind them of the counsels and teachings of the one true Lord so that all may yield crop in this Abha garden and at every moment they may produce a luscious fruit and that they may become the cause of verdure and beauty....
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1905 ca., to Haji Sattar et al -- AB03547)
May ye become radiant lamps and brilliant stars, may ye become signs of the love of God and tokens of the bounty of God, may ye become waves of the sea of reality and manifestations of the favors of His Holiness the One.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1908-Apr-17, to Baha'is of Matnih (Matanaq) -- AB05065)
O thou who seekest the beauty of the All Glorious!
In this merciful cycle, this most great dispensation, thou must strive to receive a plenteous share of the divine bestowals, perchance thy goodly virtues will, even as the fragrance of musk, perfume the whole world.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Mirza Rajab Ali -- AB07546)
And through the aid and protection of the Blessed Beauty, may you become, under the shade of the Divine Word, fruitful saplings and trees bearing spiritual fruits, may you be the signs of guidance and the standards of the Abha Kingdom, may you be pearls in the shell of grace and dawning-places of the lights of guidance.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Children of Adib -- AB06958)
O thou tree, developed in the garden of the Love of God!
Be well watered with the abundant rain falling from the clouds of the Testament of God, that thou mayest bring forth fresh and ripe fruits which are beneficial to the hearts and souls.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1909 or < -- AB11441)
I ask God to make thee a growing, developing branch in His vineyard, bearing flowers, leaves and fruits, with widespread branches, blooming, verdant and watered by the abundance of the clouds of His Kingdom and the heat of the sun of His Word.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1916 or < -- AB11434)
From the springtime breeze thou hast put forth leaves and blossoms, and through the kindness of the Most Great Name - may my spirit be sacrificed for the trees of His gardens - I hope that thou wilt yield true fruit and bear sweet produce.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Inayatullah Farzar -- AB10129)
Thou art a fresh plant in this divine orchard. I hope that thou mayest become fruitful, and become the cause of the adornment of this rose-garden.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1907-May-18, to Matteson, J Vance et al -- AB10561)
May you put forth leaves and blossoms and yield desired fruits.
… I beseech God that you may be the son of this father and become fruitful and productive.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1907-Jun-06, to Abdu'llah Buluri -- AB07627)
Now is the time for thee to put forth leaves and blossoms, to yield fruit and produce, and to appear in the branches of truth with perfect adorning.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá -- AB10629)
My hope is that soon you will blossom with flowers and yield fresh fruit.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1918-Dec-27, to Fuyo (Yuri?) Muchizuki -- AB03997)
I hope thou wilt become a fruitful tree producing sweet fruits.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1906-Feb-16, to Shuman, Louise D et al -- AB06589)
I hope that through the mercy of the heavenly Father thou mayest become a fruitful tree, laden with fruits, so that thy sweet produce may become evident and manifest, and thou mayest become a tree of the highest paradise and yield the fruits of the gardens of the Most High.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1901 or < -- AB09468)
Assuredly when they bear fruit they will have a mighty result and effect, and they will be nurtured in the shade of the Blessed Tree and the Divine Lote-Tree and will attain the supreme gift.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1919-Sep-05, to Rawhani, Fuad et al -- AB11919)
May you become as fruitful trees producing luscious fruits for all the seasons.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken at Hotel Marquardt in Stuttgart, 1913-Apr-04 -- ABU2177)
Further quotations · supplied wording and references
Surely, the believers, no matter how qualified they may be, whether as teachers or administrators, and however high their intellectual and spiritual merits, should never be looked upon as a standard whereby to evaluate and measure the divine authority and mission of the Faith. It is to the Teachings themselves, and to the lives of the Founders of the Cause that the believers should look for their guidance and inspiration, and only by keeping strictly to such a true attitude can they hope to establish their loyalty to Baha'u'llah upon an enduring and unassailable basis.
(23 Aug. 1939 on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, in "Issues Concerning Community Functioning")
My captivity cannot harm Me. That which can harm Me is the conduct of those who love Me, who claim to be related to Me, and yet perpetrate what causeth My heart and My pen to groan.
GPB.190 (Baha'u'llah)
Continue exploring
- begging; mendicancy; idleness and sloth
- being a source of light; guidance
- fulfillment of true potential
- goodly deeds; actions
- progress and the continual ascent of material civilization
- self-improvement; self-perfection; discipline
- the soul as soil; cultivation of the soul
- useful occupation; acquisition of a craft; trade; profession
- work as worship
For thought and discussion
Questions to carry forward
- What would count as nourishing fruit in a relationship, a household, or a community?
- How do the passages distinguish spiritual fruitfulness from impressive appearances or measurable achievement?
- What does Luke’s connection between the heart and its outward fruit invite you to notice about your speech and conduct?
- How might useful work and care for others become expressions of the same inward life?
- What kinds of patient cultivation, help, and receptivity are needed before good intentions can bear fruit?
- How can you take responsibility for the effects of a believer’s conduct while remembering the distinction between an imperfect follower and the teachings themselves?