A pleasing, kindly disposition and a display of tolerance towards the people
are requisites of teaching the Cause. Whatever a person says, hollow and
product of vain imaginings and a parrot-like repetition of somebody else's
views though it be, one ought to let it pass. One should not engage in
disputation leading to and ending with obstinate refusal and hostility, because
the other person would consider himself worsted and defeated. Consequently
further veils intervene between him and the Cause, and he becomes more
negligent of it. One ought to say: right, admitted, but look at the matter in
this other way, and judge for yourself whether it is true or false; of course
it should be said with courtesy, with kindliness, with consideration. Then the
other person will listen, will not seek to answer back and to marshal proofs in
repudiation. He will agree, because he comes to realize that the purpose has
not been to engage in verbal battle and to gain mastery over him. He sees that
the purpose has been to impart the word of truth, to show humanity, to bring
forth heavenly qualities. His eyes and his ears are opened, his heart responds,
his true nature unfolds, and by the grace of God, he becomes a new creation ...
The Most Great Branch gives a willing ear to any manner of senseless talk, to
such an extent that the other person says to himself: He is trying to learn
from me. Then, gradually, by such means as the other person cannot perceive, He
gives him insight and understanding.
- Baha’u’llah (Words of Baha’u’llah
recorded by Haji Mirza Haydar-Ali, quoted by Hand of the Cause Balyuzi in ‘’Abdu’l-Baha
- The Center of the Covenant of Baha’u’llah’)
