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Tag: "Character"

tag name Character type: Virtues
web link bahai-library.com/tags/-_Character
variations or
mis-spellings
innate character
related tags - Virtues and spiritual qualities; Education
referring tags Behavior; Human capacity and limitations; Lodestone
notes

See also:

Covenant Library Unified Index

selected quotations
(authoritative sources)

These quotations reflect common presentations of Bahá’í views; the materials below may show a wider range of interpretations and contexts:

"The third Ṭaráz concerneth good character. A good character is, verily, the best mantle for men from God. With it He adorneth the temples of His loved ones. By My life! The light of a good character surpasseth the light of the sun and the radiance thereof. Whoso attaineth unto it is accounted as a jewel among men. The glory and the upliftment of the world must needs depend upon it. A goodly character is a means whereby men are guided to the Straight Path and are led to the Great Announcement. Well is it with him who is adorned with the saintly attributes and character of the Concourse on High.

It beseemeth you to fix your gaze under all conditions upon justice and fairness. In the Hidden Words this exalted utterance hath been revealed from Our Most August Pen:

“O Son of Spirit! The best beloved of all things in My sight is Justice; turn not away therefrom if thou desirest Me, and neglect it not that I may confide in thee. By its aid thou shalt see with thine own eyes and not through the eyes of others, and shalt know of thine own knowledge and not through the knowledge of thy neighbor. Ponder this in thy heart; how it behooveth thee to be. Verily justice is My gift to thee and the sign of My loving-kindness. Set it then before thine eyes.”

They that are just and fair-minded in their judgment occupy a sublime station and hold an exalted rank. The light of piety and uprightness shineth resplendent from these souls. We earnestly hope that the peoples and countries of the world may not be deprived of the splendors of these two luminaries."

Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh, Ṭarázát (Ornaments), ¶17 (BH00308)

"... As to the differences of character arising from education, they are great indeed, for education exerts an enormous influence. Through education the ignorant become learned, the cowardly become courageous, the crooked branch becomes straight, the acrid and bitter fruit of the mountains and woods becomes sweet and succulent, and the five-petalled flower puts forth a hundred petals. Through education barbarous nations become civilized and even animals take on human-like manners. Education must be accorded the greatest importance; for just as diseases are highly communicable in the world of bodies, so is character highly communicable in the realm of hearts and spirits. The differences caused by education are enormous and exert a major influence.

... Capacity is of two kinds: innate and acquired. The innate capacity, which is the creation of God, is wholly and entirely good—in the innate nature there is no evil. The acquired capacity, however, can become the cause of evil. For example, God has created all men in such a fashion, and has given them such a capacity and disposition, that they are benefited by sugar and honey and are harmed or killed by poison. This is an innate capacity and disposition that God has bestowed equally upon all men. But man may begin little by little to take poison by ingesting a small quantity every day and gradually increasing it until he reaches the point where ... his innate capacities are completely subverted. Consider how the innate capacity and disposition can be so completely changed, through variation of habit and training, as to be entirely perverted. It is not on account of their innate capacity and disposition that one reproaches the wicked, but rather on account of that which they themselves have acquired..."

– 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, 14.8-9 The Differences in Human Character

references en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral_character; bahaiquotes.com/subject/character; www.bahai.org/beliefs/life-spirit/character-conduct; www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/search#q=Character

"Character" has been tagged in:

15 results from the Main Catalog

from the main catalog (15 results; collapse)

sorted by  
  1. 2023-2026. BWNS Podcasts: Conversations and Insights from the Field. Bahá'í World News Service. Links to 46 interviews highlighting how Bahá’í individuals and communities worldwide apply spiritual principles to education, governance, equality, and social transformation, fostering unity and the betterment of society. Video and audio available. Audio.
  2. 2018/2025. Additional Tablets, Extracts and Talks. Abdu'l-Bahá, Bahá'í World Centre, trans. . 216 selections, last updated 2025. Writings.
  3. 2017. Bahá'í Philosophy of Human Nature, The. Ian Kluge. How the essential reality of the individual — the human soul and its powers of rational thought, willpower, memory, and reflection — translates these capacities into physical action through the intermediary of the brain. Articles.
  4. 2016. Memorials of the Faithful: Virtues of Inner and Outer Transformation. Marlene Koswan. A study of the virtues identified for the faithful individuals mentioned in "Memorials of the Faithful" and how they exemplified character, manners and conduct, using the "Seven Valleys" as a guide for human conduct. Articles.
  5. 2012. Fragility of Goodness, The: Hexis and Praxis in the Historical Figure of 'Abdu'l-Baha. Shahbaz Fatheazam. How personal character and activity can survive negative pressures from the external world, and what can be learned from the example of Abdu'l-Bahá's social action. Articles.
  6. 2007. Hidden Gifts: Finding Blessings in the Struggles of Life. Brian Kurzius. Compilation of Bahá'í texts on the purpose of problems and tests in our lives. Introductory.
  7. 2003. Divine Virtues and Spiritual Qualities: A Compilation from Sacred Texts. WellSpring International Educational Foundation for the Study and Application of the Sacred Texts. Comprehensive exploration of 77 virtues and qualities drawn from the texts of various religions. Compilations-personal.
  8. 1998. Virtues Project, The: Educator's Guide. Linda Kavelin Popov. Activities and workshops designed to present, in simple ways, methods to create a culture of character. Books.
  9. 1997/2026. Principles of Bahá'í Education: A Brief Conceptual Review. Behrooz Sabet. A concise review of Bahá’í educational principles offering a unified vision of learning, human potential, and social transformation. Articles-unpublished.
  10. 1996. Bahá'u'lláh's Teachings on Spiritual Reality. Paul Lample, comp. The quest for spirituality, the spiritual life, material and spiritual reality, the progress of the soul and humanity’s spiritual education. Introductory.
  11. 1989/1990. Immortality and the Human Soul: Lecture Series. Hooper Dunbar. Audio.
  12. 1986. Concept of Spirituality, The. William S. Hatcher. Widely-read ABS monograph, re-published in the Bahá'í World. Includes chapters "The Nature of Man," "Process of Spiritual Growth," and "Collective Dimension of Spirituality." Articles.
  13. 1968. Becoming Your True Self. Daniel C. Jordan. The nature of human potential, and how the Bahá'í Faith can guide the process of spiritual transformation. Essays.
  14. 1966-06-10. Youth in Every Land, to. Universal House of Justice. Three fields of service open to young Bahá'ís: improving their personal character, teaching the Faith to others, and preparing for their later years through education. UHJ-letters.
  15. 1920-02. Pilgrim's Note of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's Words, A: "Love, love, love. Love attracts the hearts, love captivates the souls…". Muhammad-'Ali Faydi, Adib Masumian, trans. . The importance of love in teaching the Faith, urging believers to demonstrate love through deeds and conduct. Pilgrims.
 
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