Words and deeds: giving belief a visible life

To know the Truth, to have attained knowledge, is good, but it is only the first step, it is not enough. The only thing that avails for the soul's growth, is to live the truth.

Of what use is it that we know for a fact there are ten thousand people cold and hungry if we do not feed and warm them? To know of the right road to the mountain top if we do not walk in it? To know there are bad laws if we do not mend them? Or to know Divine truths concerning God if we do not listen and obey His voice?

Go to see each other and be consoling friends to all. If a friend lives a little distance from the town, go to see him. Do not content yourselves with words only but act according to the commandments of God.

Look at the deeds, what concern have you with words? A thousand loads of words about zeal, enthusiasm, magnanimity, protection and chivalry are not worth a penny, but one small deed is worth a flowing treasure.

Teachings are revealed for the sake of practice and not for the sake of hearing or listening only. When man listens to certain teachings he must live them. To listen to the teachings is very easy, but it is difficult to bring them into our daily lives.

It is easy to expound one thousand letters of teachings. It is still easier to listen to them, but it is difficult to put into practice one of them.

The honored Haji Mirza Haydar-'Ali said, "Teaching through deeds is far more effective than through words."

'Abdu'l-Baha replied, "If both words and deeds were congruent, then it would be much better. It would be light upon light."

O people! Words must be supported by deeds, for deeds are the true test of words. Without the former, the latter can never quench the thirst of the yearning soul, nor unlock the portals of vision before the eyes of the blind. The Lord of celestial wisdom saith: A harsh word is even as a sword thrust; a gentle word as milk. The latter leadeth the children of men unto knowledge and conferreth upon them true distinction.

We cannot bring Love and Unity to pass only by talk. Knowledge is not enough. Wealth, science, education are good, we know that, but we must also work and study.

Knowledge is the first step; Resolve, the second step; Action, the fulfillment, is the third step.

Compare your speech, behavior and deeds with the divine teachings - whatever you find in accordance, give thanks, and whatever you find not in accordance, seek forgiveness and strive and desire that it may conform entirely to the path of the character and nature of that Kind Beloved.

76. O SON OF MY HANDMAID! Guidance hath ever been given by words, and now it is given by deeds. Every one must show forth deeds that are pure and holy, for words are the property of all alike, whereas such deeds as these belong only to Our loved ones. Strive then with heart and soul to distinguish yourselves by your deeds.

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.

Words must be followed by deeds; words without deeds are as bees that yield no honey, as trees that bear no fruit.

O Husayn! The Wronged One declareth: Words require deeds. Words without deeds are as bees without honey, or as trees without fruit. Consider the Sage of Sabzivar - in his verses he hath penned poetry suggesting that no Moses existeth, else would the cry "Verily I am God" be heard from every tree. He hath uttered these words in exposition, meaning that one who knoweth God ascendeth to such heights that his eyes are illumined by beholding the lights of divine manifestation, and his ears are privileged to hear His call from all things. The aforementioned sage had no share of these stations, as is evident. This was mere utterance, but when it came to deeds, we observe that he hearkened not at all to the call of the Divine Lote-Tree, raised explicitly and without interpretation from the most exalted spot in the wilderness, calling aloud unto all.

The station of man is revealed through deeds. Deeds are the fruits of the Tree of existence. Blessed are they that act, and blessed are they that know.

Words and phrases held no authority - novel meanings and sound purposes were accepted and beloved. They looked to hearts, not inscriptions. They listened to the secrets of the heart, not the cryptic words of eloquent writers.

O Ghulam-Rida! Consider man as a sword: while it remains in its sheath, its quality remains hidden and concealed. Through God's grace, you must be freed from the sheath of darkness, that your quality may become manifest to all the world. The quality of man lies in his conduct and deeds.

Claims are not completed through words alone, but are contingent and conditional upon deeds.

Today is the day for the manifestation of virtues and noble qualities. If words have no witness, they shall not attain to the station of acceptance, and the witness of words has ever been and shall ever be deeds.

Conjecture cannot take the place of certainty, nor can words stand in lieu of deeds.

Every utterance requires corresponding deeds.

Thus it is evident that deeds must accompany words.

Rather, what will yield fruit is your manner, conduct, deeds and words.

However, O beloved of my heart, sincerity and certitude and faith and knowledge are not perfected through words but through deeds.

Faith in God consisteth not in words alone - deeds are required.

The first duty prescribed by God for His servants is the recognition of Him Who is the Dayspring of His Revelation and the Fountain of His laws, Who representeth the Godhead in both the Kingdom of His Cause and the world of creation. Whoso achieveth this duty hath attained unto all good; and whoso is deprived thereof hath gone astray, though he be the author of every righteous deed. It behoveth every one who reacheth this most sublime station, this summit of transcendent glory, to observe every ordinance of Him Who is the Desire of the world. These twin duties are inseparable. Neither is acceptable without the other.

Before recognition, no soul's deeds are accepted, even should they perform all the deeds of the past and future. I testify that these creatures are worshippers of idle fancies, save those whose hands have been seized by the hands of thy Lord's loving-kindness, the Mighty, the All-Knowing, and whom He hath protected through His grace.

Today all deeds and stations depend upon the recognition of God and acceptance of Him.

He hath associated with Himself the writing of the Tree of Truth through the Primal Truth, then through those manifestations of divine authority nearest, and yet nearer. If thou shouldst attain the presence of Him Whom God shall make manifest, exalted and glorified be His mention, and obtain writing from His presence wherein lieth His good-pleasure with thee - even if thou shouldst traverse from East to West of the earth and offer all that is thereon in His path - this would be better than all thou hast done or shalt do. Indeed, all thy deeds from the beginning of thy life unto its end - nay, from the beginning that hath no beginning until such time as thou remainest alive - are for this purpose. Yet perchance when He Whom God shall make manifest giveth thee writing, thou wilt not love it nor take it. Marvel not at this, for Muhammad aforetime sent writing unto one who read it not, and I am loath to mention after this he who was forbidden in the Bayan.

The Point of the Bayan wrote unto one of those who wept night and day for His manifestation, yet when His writing fell into his hands, he neither read it nor took it. Thou shalt be tested on the Day of God's Manifestation, so be mindful lest thou be veiled from God, thy Lord, and from His Book, after having been a seeker thereof throughout thy life. For on the Day of His Manifestation, He Whom God shall make manifest may write unto thee informing thee of the revelation of His own Self, yet thou, failing to comprehend by thine own insight, mayest hearken to the words of the people who are but confused rabble, and pay no heed to the Cause of God. Therefore be thou discerning, sharpen thy vision and purify thy sight, that when His writing reacheth thee, thou mayest accept it and place it upon thine eyes by virtue of its connection to Him, whether it be from Him directly or from another. For this is God's command unto thee, that thou mayest not be among the perishing ones.

Should your words, O people, be at variance with your deeds, what then shall distinguish you from those who profess their faith in the Lord, their God, and yet, when He came down to them overshadowed with clouds, rejected Him and waxed proud before God, the Incomparable, the Omniscient?

For in this day most people remain veiled from God's Cause and are occupied with their own comfort. How many souls there are who claim attachment to the Truth yet remain far heedless of it, for association is not perfected through words alone and no claim is validated without proof.

Many are those who verbally acknowledge the appearance of Truth and His power, yet since they have not held fast to the deeds that were revealed in God's Book, they have become the cause of delay for the people of earth.

Deeds take precedence over words. By the Sun of Truth, this Wronged One fasts during the blessed month of Ramadan and stands in prayer and remembrance during its nights and dawns.

Should a man spend his whole life engaged in worship, yet remain deprived of the attributes which are the cause of the exaltation of the Cause of God, that worship will produce no result and yield no fruit.

Merit lies not with those who make verbal profession, but rather with those who act according to what the All-Merciful hath revealed in His wondrous Book.

Words are not accepted, but rather deeds performed purely for God, the One, the Almighty, the Glorious, the Most High.

Praise be to God that you have been blessed with the bounty of health, which is the greatest of divine bounties. God willing, you will be assisted in that which befitteth this divine Day, for any deed that appeareth today purely for the sake of God, even if it be but a single word, is like unto a seed deposited in pure, good and blessed soil - it will surely bring forth lofty and wondrous ears of corn. Today is the day of sowing and planting, today is the day of planting trees.

Today, every word that is spoken for God's sake, or deed that is manifested for His sake, is like unto the sun amidst the deeds of the world, and is reckoned before the Divine Throne among the most excellent of deeds and is recorded by the Supreme Pen....

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Time and again this word has flowed from the Pen: through one word and one pure deed, the earth has transcended the heavens.

O people of Baha! The All-Knowing, the All-Powerful hath ordained the earth as a scroll wherein the deeds and words of the children of Adam are to be recorded. And since this is so, pure must be the words and praiseworthy the deeds that befit it.

Say: Today befitting deeds and pleasing words are needed. Every goodly deed is in itself a teacher of the Cause.

As to the fundamentals of teaching the Faith: know thou that delivering the Message can be accomplished only through goodly deeds and spiritual attributes, an utterance that is crystal clear and the happiness reflected from the face of that one who is expounding the Teachings. It is essential that the deeds of the teacher should attest the truth of his words.

If a soul calls the people to the Kingdom of God according to the Principles of Baha'u'llah, there will be many listeners. First, one may teach by deeds, then speak the word. First, one must become thirsty, then the salubrious water may be offered. No matter how delicious the water is, one who is not thirsty will not enjoy it. Therefore, make ye an effort, so that the people may become thirsty; then enable them to quaff from this divine Chalice.

Furthermore, the power of teaching and education is of two kinds: One is that through words humans educate souls, the other is that through deeds humans educate. It is possible to educate people through words, but greater than that is education through deeds, for deeds have more effect.

O mindful rememberer! Exhortations and counsels are sometimes given through words, and sometimes through deeds and actions, through spiritual fragrances and pre-dawn prayers. However, mere words have never been and are not the criterion of truth and evidence of awakening and insight.

Although books and treatises of proofs are a means of awakening souls, an expounder is needed. Mere books of proofs will not cause complete propagation.

It is at such times that the friends of God avail themselves of the occasion, seize the opportunity, rush forth and win the prize. If their task is to be confined to good conduct and advice, nothing will be accomplished. They must speak out, expound the proofs, set forth clear arguments, draw irrefutable conclusions establishing the truth of the manifestation of the Sun of Reality....

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Mr. Denham: "Should truth be spread verbally or by writing?"

'Abdu'l-Baha: "Both. Real teaching is by action. Action has effect. One act is better than a thousand words. Jesus Christ says 'by their fruits' (actions) and not by their words. What is the effect of words alone? The real thing is action."

Teaching the Cause of God is of two kinds: by word and by deed. I hope you will be successful in both.

You must give the message through action and deed, not alone by word. Word must be conjoined with deed.

Spread the divine fragrances and to exemplify your beliefs with your conduct and your behaviour as well as your words.

Strive to conduct yourself among people such that your words become a decisive proof and your deeds evidence of love for the Brilliant Luminary.

Man can teach better through deeds than words. But when the words are the expressions of our deeds, then it will be light upon light ...

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Meanwhile, let all promote the Cause of God through their words, deeds, conduct and character, until such time as wisdom calleth for their presence.

Convey to each and every one of the friends the Most Glorious, Most Wondrous greetings, and tell them that among the proofs of faithfulness to the Holy Threshold of the Blessed Beauty is that in all things - that is, in speech and conduct and deeds, in sanctification and detachment and unity and harmony, in the fear of God and righteousness - you should promote the Cause of God and engage in service, so that you may become manifest signs of the King of Oneness.

The mercifulness of an assembly comes through words, deeds and conduct in accordance with the teachings of God.

The fruit must be harvested today, and my hope is that souls will arise from Taliqan in the utmost spirit and joy who will become the cause of delight to the hearts of the friends, who will conduct themselves according to the teachings of the Lord God, and who through their deeds and words, their speech and conduct, will become the cause of the awakening of all creation.

The people of Baha must spread the divine fragrances through deeds more than words, for a single deed emanating from the essence of sanctity will promote the Cause such that its fragrant breezes will spread to all regions.

Now in that city bereft (of spiritual bounties), one must act with wisdom and awaken the heedless through Baha'i deeds, for deeds have more influence than words.

But the friends must acquire the characteristics of the Daystar of the horizons and promote and teach more through deeds than words.

Teaching the cause of God is not only through the tongue; it is through deeds, a good disposition, happiness of nature, kindness, sympathy, good fellowship, trustworthiness, holiness, virtue, purity of ideals and lastly, speech.

The believers must teach the Cause not only in words but must adorn themselves with the ornaments of deeds in order that all mankind may bear testimony to this, that their aims are universal, their actions disinterested, their purposes inspiring and all-embracing, so that they may witness in their behavior and manner the holiness, purity, sincerity and loving kindness of the prophets of God… Tell them to read carefully the Persian and Arabic 'Hidden Words' and to live and behave according to their contents.

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Thus in teaching the Cause it is not sufficient to give the message, we must live it, work for it, be attracted to it, enkindle others with its fire, perfume the nostrils with its fragrance, surround our companions with its atmosphere, impress mankind with its grandeur and loftiness and raise the lowly and downtrodden to the highest pinnacle of honor and glory.

Love ye all religions and all races with a love that is true and sincere and show that love through deeds and not through the tongue; for the latter hath no importance, as the majority of men are, in speech, well-wishers, while action is the best.

In the same way a believer cannot prove he is of the faithful simply by announcing himself to be a Baha'i. Only by serving and sacrificing, and by dedication to the needs of others whether they are Baha'is or not, can a Baha'i prove that he is of the people of Baha.

Blessed is the one who hath sanctified himself from whatsoever pertaineth to the ways of savagery and the deeds of the predators of the earth, and who hath adorned the servants with kindness and care in that which will protect and preserve them from self and passion.

In any case, you must absolutely, most absolutely remedy this situation so that true heart-felt love and fellowship is achieved among the friends, not merely verbal, and all become occupied with teaching the Cause of God.

Yes, benevolence is easy with words but difficult in action.

So speaking with the tongue is easy but action is difficult.

They prove their beliefs through action not words, and they are lovers of the human world through deeds not claims.

Consider the difference between one who speaks of generosity and the one who is generous; between the one who claims justice and equity, and the one who is just and equitable. Or how significant is the contrast between the one who speaks of light, and the one who is illumined. If we were to follow the teachings and dictums of the Blessed Beauty, even stones and plants would be affected.

The world is wrong, just because people talk too much and do not carry out their ideals. If action took the place of words, the world would change very soon. A man who does good and does not talk about it is perfect. The man who does very little good and magnifies it in his speech, is not good. if I love you, you know it, I need not tell you all the time; on the other hand, if I did not love you, you would know it also, and you would not believe me if I said I did love you a thousand times.

If you give them only words, when they put their hands into their pockets after you have gone, they will find themselves none the richer for you!"

It is not enough to wish to do good. The wish should be followed by action.

Unity is good. To know this is not sufficient. You must intend to promote it, you must work for it. Knowledge is a good thing, but it is only the first step. If knowledge is alone it is stationary. These meetings teach us that Unity is good, and that suppression (slavery under the yoke of traditions and prejudices) is the cause of disunion. To know this is not enough. All knowledge is good, but it can bear no fruit but by action. It is well to know that riches are good, but that knowledge will not make a man rich; he must work, he must put his knowledge into practice.

We hear there is an invention, we believe it is good; then we come and see it. We hear that there is wealth, we see it; we work hard for it, and become rich ourselves and so help others. We know and we see the Light, we go close to it, are warmed by it, and reflect its rays on others; this is real faith, and thus we receive power to become the eternal sons of God.

On Saturday night, the 12th of Dhi'l-Qa'dah 1329 [4 November], at the home of Mr. Dreyfus, in a large gathering of friends and others, this blessed discourse was given:

The religion of God is, in truth, about deeds, not about words. For the religion of God is like a remedy - merely knowing about medicine has no benefit; rather, using the medicine brings benefit. If a physician knows all medicines but does not use them, what benefit is there?

They recognize the Physician. Now they must act according to the teachings of Baha'u'llah. They must use the medicine appointed by the Real Physician. They have to compare their actions with the teachings so that all the people may witness and bear record that these people are real Bahais. A sick person knows the physician and received the medicine, but when he does not use it, what is the use of it?

O maid-servant of God! Chant the Words of God and, pondering over their meaning, transform them into actions!

O divine friends! These counsels and exhortations of the Blessed Beauty have been revealed from the Supreme Pen so that they may be acted upon, not merely read. Many souls read these Tablets and praise them but do not act according to a single word.

The friends are waiting each day for a new letter to reach them from me. And after receiving it, they read it and put it in their boxes and again wait for another letter, which they will again read and preserve in a box.

Abdul-Baha: Live thou in accord with the teachings of Baha'u'llah. Do not only read them. There is a vast difference between the soul who merely reads the words of Baha'u'llah and the one who tries to live them.

Act in accordance with the teachings of Baha'u'llah. Many are the people who peruse the divine teachings, but promptly forget what they have read when the time comes to act. A true Baha'i is one who acts in accordance with the blessed teachings.

It is all very well for you to say that you agree with all this, that it is good--but you must put it into practice.

Today is the day of deeds. If we content ourselves with merely reciting what is in the divine scriptures, it will never yield results. Therefore we must strive with heart and soul to become successful in action.

The greatest means of progress is the promotion of the divine teachings and acting in accordance with them, for mere words and instruction yield no result--action is required.

O friends! This mighty cycle is the cycle of lights and the age of mysteries and the century of effects. It cannot be completed through stories and narratives, nor accomplished through pure intention alone. Deeds are needed, conduct is required, divine counsels and admonitions must be carried out.

We must drink a measure from that mighty ocean, receive a fragrance from that rose garden, take a spark from that fire of the love of God - not merely hear a tale and listen to a story that so-and-so sacrificed his life and another offered himself as a sacrifice, that one took up the cup of "Am I not?" and another became intoxicated from the divine wine-house. From stories there is no fruit. Therefore one must take a step in this field and drink a cup.

These days are the days of Faith and Deeds-not the days of words and lip service: Let us arise from the sleep of negligence, and realize what a great feast is prepared for us; first eating thereof ourselves, then giving unto others who are thirsting for the Water of Knowledge, and hungering for the Bread of Life.

There is a cordial thanksgiving, too, which expresses itself in the deeds and actions of man when his heart is filled with gratitude. For example, God has conferred upon man the gift of guidance, and in thankfulness for this great gift certain deeds must emanate from him. To express his gratitude for the favors of God man must show forth praiseworthy actions.

Deliver on my behalf divine glad-tidings to the assembles in Seattle, the members of the houses of Mrs... and Mrs... and the assemblies in Portland and Denver and say: "O ye sons and daughters of the Kingdom! Be ye thankful that although the light of guidance hath dawned from the East, yet, praise be to God, it illuminated both the East and the West! In order that glorification and thanks may be shown for these bounties, the word and actions must be in accordance with the advices and behests of His Highness Baha'u'llah. Thanks does not depend upon words but upon deeds!"

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If a man does not do these things, even though he praises God and offers him a hundred thousand thanksgivings every second there will be for that man not the slightest result; it will be but words without light.

The Blessed Beauty endured all these afflictions and tribulations so that we might succeed in deeds, not just in words. The sun rises so that people might engage in work, not engage in talk. The Sun of Truth likewise rises so that souls might succeed in deeds, not just in words. "Bring forth deeds if thou art truthful," not "Bring forth words if thou art truthful."

It is like two souls who rise in the morning: one, from morn till night, pursues his own desires in idle pastimes and games, in matters that yield no result, and when evening comes he has nothing but weariness, weakness and lassitude. The other, from morn till night, strives and labors, never moving according to his own desires, never becoming tainted with idle pursuits, but engaging in commerce and trade. When evening comes he finds he has made much profit and gain, a profitable trade indeed.

Here is a man who speaks very few words but he is working all the time and attending to all his duties; there is another man who sits down, talks continually and boasts of his past achievements.

People do much speaking to advance their own glory and to make themselves appear superior to their neighbors. But if you do the Will of God and do not blazon it abroad, then you will change the whole world. They who do most speak least.

In Oriental language, there is the expression, "May my life be a sacrifice to you," and a man writing a hundred letters a day might use these words a hundred times and yet he would not sacrifice anything for his friend. But this is a custom--a usage.

It is not only words. I would offer my life for each friend. When the time of trial comes then it will become manifest -- now it is in words.

Thereafter another Tablet was revealed from the heaven of God's Will wherein He states, exalted be His utterance:

"We have tested thee and found thee remote from the Word" - meaning, We put thee to the test and found thee estranged from the Word. Among his utterances was this: "should there be found an oppressed one in the world who seeks justice, we shall come to his aid and deliver him from tyranny." Nevertheless, he sent no reply to the divine Tablet and arose not to render assistance. After this episode He [Baha'u'llah] declared that he was as a cannon without shot - mighty in sound yet yielding no result.

Indeed, if one takes no action, one's speech will have no effect whatsoever. The matter can be likened to a person who summons the people to peace, but himself engages in the killing of others.

The Revelation of Baha'u'llah is for action; peruse The Hidden Words and see what He has said therein.

Strange it is that they call themselves Christians, utter the name of Christ, read the Gospel, yet Christ is clear of them. Were Christ to descend from heaven and were they to say "These are Thy people," He would say: "God forbid! These are Thy people in word only, but in truth they are the people of Caiaphas."

Have they faith enough to work and preach and not receive any large salary? If they have made up their minds to walk in the footsteps of Christ and his apostles, this is the path. "Read Matt. Chapter 6. V. 24/34.) If they do not live according to these clear injunctions, all the lectures, articles and talks will bring to result. "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."

The standard is deeds, not words, as stated in the Qur'anic verse: "And of the people there are some who say: 'We believe in God and the Last Day;' but they do not believe.

O thou who art attracted to the Fragrances of God!

Thou hast said aright, that verily, Abdul-Baha looketh to deeds and not words. Even as it was said by Christ, "Ye shall know them by their fruits."

Christ said, "Ye shall know them by their fruits" - the qualities of a believer show what kind of believer he is. If a man claims to be a believer and does not show forth the qualities of God, it proves that he is a believer in name only, and that he has not yet been regenerated by the Holy Spirit.

You shall know the tree by its fruits, be they good or bad. By the fruit which appears you may know whether the tree is dead or alive. In this way it will be known whether the soul is born of the Spirit. If they have the divine qualities, they will show them forth in their lives, for our actions reveal what we are, no matter how the tongue speaks.

A person may claim to be a Baha'i or may be known as a Baha'i for all his life and may not know at all what a Baha'i means. Another person may never have heard the name Baha'i and may at the same time practice all the attributes which are necessary to make one a Baha'i. That is why his holiness Christ says, those who are not against us are with us. You must know the tree by its fruits.

"It makes no difference whether you have ever heard of Baha'u'llah or not," was the answer, "the man who lives the life according to the teachings of Baha'u'llah is already a Baha'i. On the other hand a man may call himself a Baha'i for fifty years and if he does not live the life he is not a Baha'i.

Undoubtedly, a person, who is not a believer, but whose deeds and morals are good, is far better than one who claims his belief in words but, who, in actions, is a follower of satan.

The point of distinction among men, let them remember, is their deeds, not their beliefs or words.

But in this day the question is far more important. Faith does not consist in belief, it consists in deeds. It is not sufficient to believe in Baha'u'llah and to say, "I am of the people of El-Abha"; we must act in accordance with the teachings of Baha'u'llah, who commands us to become centers of divine attraction, so that the attributes of God may emanate from us, that we may become wise and well intentioned to all the peoples of the earth in order to better the condition of all.

On being a Baha'i He said: "Up to now, to believe was to acknowledge, to make a confession of faith, but in this greatest of all Causes, believing means to have praiseworthy qualities and to perform praiseworthy acts."

And with perfect severance, spirituality and the best intent and effort must they hasten to promulgate the Divine Teaching, and above all they must act according to the precepts and exhortations of His Holiness Baha'u'llah, for in this cycle of Baha'u'llah verbal confessions and acknowledgements, literal faith and certainty and external relations are of no avail. Nay, rather, the beloved of God and the maid-servants of the Merciful must manifest such attributes and ethical conduct as to embody and personify the teachings of Baha'u'llah.

There is no doubt that it will yield the desired results; especially is this true of instruction as to Baha'i obligations and Baha'i conduct, for the little children must needs be made aware in their very heart and soul that "Baha'i" is not just a name but a truth. Every child must be trained in the things of the spirit, so that he may embody all the virtues and become a source of glory to the Cause of God. Otherwise, the mere word "Baha'i", if it yield no fruit, will come to nothing.

O ye two well-loved handmaids of God! Whatever a man's tongue speaketh, that let him prove by his deeds. If he claimeth to be a believer, then let him act in accordance with the precepts of the Abha Kingdom.

He whose deeds do not accord with his words is not a true Baha'i. That is, a non-Baha'i who leads a good life does less harm to the Cause than a Baha'i whose life is not righteous.

I declare by Him beside Whom there is naught else if we live in accord with one of the Teachings we will become radiant like unto this lamp. If we confess verbally that the principles of Baha'u'llah are the cause of eternal salvation and the means of nearness unto the throne of God and yet do not live according to their contents we would not be Baha'is.

A Baha'i, in whatever city he may dwell, must become renowned for his deeds. Being a Baha'i is a matter of deeds, not words. That is why He says one must teach through deeds, for otherwise all the peoples of the world share in mere words.

Say: Beware, O people of Bahá, lest ye walk in the ways of them whose words differ from their deeds. Strive that ye may be enabled to manifest to the peoples of the earth the signs of God, and to mirror forth His commandments. Let your acts be a guide unto all mankind, for the professions of most men, be they high or low, differ from their conduct. It is through your deeds that ye can distinguish yourselves from others.

Say: O friends! Words alone have not sufficed and will never suffice. You must manifest such deeds that all souls will testify that you are distinguished from others and are truly related to the Truth.

All people share in words, but it is through goodly deeds and praiseworthy character that the people of truth are distinguished from others. Blessed are they who, after recognizing the Self-Sufficient, the Most High, have held fast unto deeds. The fragrance of pure deeds pervadeth and penetrateth, and influenceth the hearts and minds of men.

Deeds, conduct and behavior represent reality while words are metaphorical. If these metaphors match reality, the fire of the love of God will blaze forth, that soul will be confirmed, and will shine like a star from the horizon of truth.

Today the friends of God must strive to remain firm in the Covenant, and this cannot be accomplished through words alone - deeds and conduct are required.

Today is the day of deeds and not of words, and their deeds are a truthful witness and faithful testimony to their love, detachment and service.

And the sign of this bounty is in the deeds, behavior and words of our ancestors, and in the seeing eye, the hearing ear, and the speaking tongue.

The deeds of man must be the cause of glory.

Then all his words and deeds will tend toward the glorification of the Cause and the promotion of the Principles.

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.

Every effort must have its result, else it is not a true effort. You must become the means of lighting the world of humanity. This is the infallible proof and sign. Every progress depends on two things, knowledge and practice. First acquire knowledge, and, when conviction is reached, put it into practice.

… "After a little I went over and took his arm, saying, 'But you must return good for evil. Whether I honoured you or despised you, you should follow the teachings; now you merely read them.

There are people always in this world who deliver excellent advices and exhortations, but they do not carry them out in their own lives. I have taught the believers with deeds and not with words...

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One's deeds must always exceed one's words. That is, if one good word flows from his tongue, a thousand good deeds should proceed from him, so it becomes clear and evident to all that he is a true well-wisher and genuine champion of humanity.

The example of our lives was of more value than words.

In previous cycles and past centuries, teaching was done through words, but in this time it is through deeds. … One must first teach through deeds and afterwards through wisdom and utterance, and show heartfelt kindness to all peoples and nations, for they say "The effect of deeds is more penetrating than the effect of words." Souls are weary of words but attentive to deeds.

But all these sayings are but words and we see very few of them carried into the world of action.

… They must on all occasions confirm by their actions what they proclaim in words. Their deeds must prove their fidelity, and their actions must show forth Divine light.

The utterances of Baha'u'llah are to be translated into deeds, not words (only). Deeds are demanded by His teaching, which must thus appear transmuted into the life of this day. Words are nothing.

Man must be known through his deeds and actions. Mere words have no weight.

I am always thinking how to carry the loads of others and not to put my own loads on the shoulders of others. The Blessed Perfection has taught me this. We must prove this through deed and not by mere word.

This cycle is not the cycle of words. In the Islamic cycle they would say 'There is no god but God' and that was all. This is the cycle of deeds. One must testify through deeds, not by tongue.

For this is the Radiant Century, the time when deeds must take the place of words.

O dear one! This Dispensation of the Beauty of Abha is the time of deeds, not words. The purpose is not words, but deeds!

The carpet of inner meaning and deeds hath been rolled up, and the carpet of words and utterances hath been spread out. Say: O loved ones! By the Sun of Truth, this is the Day of deeds.

Say: O people of contingent being! The Countenance of the All-Merciful declares: Today is not the day for words, nor the time for waiting. Act ye according to the divine utterances which have dawned and appeared from the Dayspring of the Most Holy Pen.

Today is the day of deeds, not words.

Today deeds take precedence over words. Therefore strive that praiseworthy actions may be manifested from all your limbs.

Deeds take precedence over words. A goodly deed hath been and shall forever be the distinguishing feature.

Beware of being satisfied with mere words! Strive for goodly conduct and be not content with utterances alone. Know that deeds are the touchstone of worth.

Verily words cannot take the place of deeds. Hold fast unto goodly and pleasing actions, and purify yourselves from the defilement of divine prohibitions that ye may attain unto true rest.

Say: O My loved ones! Hold fast unto goodly deeds and follow not those who hold fast unto words rather than deeds. These, verily, are among the heedless.

Beware lest thou be of those who have cast the deeds behind their backs and clung to mere words.

Shun those in whom thou findest words without deeds - they are among the contemptible ones.

Words must be followed by deeds. Whoso accepteth the words of the Friend is a man of deeds - otherwise a corpse is better than he.

The essence of faith is fewness of words and abundance of deeds; he whose words exceed his deeds, know verily his death is better than his life.

Without the spirit of real love for Baha'u'llah, for His Faith and its Institutions, and the believers for each other, the Cause can never really bring in large numbers of people. For it is not preaching and rules the world wants, but love and action.

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Through example, loving fellowship, prayer, and kindness the friends can attract the hearts of such people and enable them to realize that this is the Cause of God in deed, not merely words!...

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It is primarily through the potency of noble deeds and character, rather than by the power of exposition and proofs, that the friends of God should demonstrate to the world that what has been promised by God is bound to happen, that it is already taking place and that the divine glad-tidings are clear, evident and complete. … However, if the friends become embodiments of virtue and good character, words and arguments will be superfluous. Their very deeds will well serve as eloquent testimony, and their noble conduct will ensure the preservation, integrity and glory of the Cause of God.

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The beloved Guardian has stressed over and over again, that to effectively teach the Faith, the individual must study deeply, the Divine Word, imbibe Its life-giving waters, and feast upon Its glorious teachings. He should then meditate on the import of the Word, and finding its spiritual depths, pray for guidance and assistance. But most important, after prayer is action. After one has prayed and meditated, he must arise, relying fully on the guidance and confirmation of Baha'u'llah, to teach His Faith. Perseverance in action is essential, just as wisdom and audacity are necessary for effective teaching.

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Teaching is the source of Divine Confirmation. It is not sufficient to pray diligently for guidance, but this prayer must be followed by meditation as to the best methods of action and then action itself. Even if the action should not immediately produce results, or perhaps not be entirely correct, that does not make so much difference, because prayers can only be answered through action and if someone's action is wrong, God can use that method of showing that pathway which is right...

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Belief, in order to be truly effective, must be translated into action; and there is no action which is the source of divine confirmations so much as teaching the Baha'i Faith.

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To live to teach in the present day is like being martyred in those early days. It is the spirit that moves us that counts, not the act through which that spirit expresses itself; and that spirit is to serve the Cause of God with our heart and soul.

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