Every Morn and Eventide
Quotes

Quotes

Passages from the sacred writings, chosen one by one and set with a photograph. Each links to its exact place in the Bahá’í Reference Library — and each is yours to share.

Possess a pure, kindly and radiant heart — Bahá’u’lláhThe best beloved of all things in My sight is Justice — Bahá’u’lláhI knew My love for thee; therefore I created thee, have engraved on thee Mine image and revealed to thee My beauty. — Bahá’u’lláhI loved thy creation, hence I created thee. — Bahá’u’lláhLove Me, that I may love thee — Bahá’u’lláhThy Paradise is My love; thy heavenly home, reunion with Me. — Bahá’u’lláhIf thou lovest Me, turn away from thyself — Bahá’u’lláhThere is no peace for thee save by renouncing thyself and turning unto Me — Bahá’u’lláhMy love is My stronghold — Bahá’u’lláhThou art My stronghold; enter therein that thou mayest abide in safety — Bahá’u’lláhThou art My lamp and My light is in thee — Bahá’u’lláhWith the hands of power I made thee and with the fingers of strength I created thee — Bahá’u’lláhTurn thy sight unto thyself, that thou mayest find Me standing within thee, mighty, powerful and self-subsisting. — Bahá’u’lláhThou art My light and My light shall never be extinguished — Bahá’u’lláhTurn thy face unto Mine and renounce all save Me — Bahá’u’lláhForget all save Me and commune with My spirit — Bahá’u’lláhBe thou content with Me and seek no other helper — Bahá’u’lláhAsk not of Me that which We desire not for thee — Bahá’u’lláhI have breathed within thee a breath of My own Spirit, that thou mayest be My lover — Bahá’u’lláhMy love hath made in thee its home, it cannot be concealed — Bahá’u’lláhUpon the tree of effulgent glory I have hung for thee the choicest fruits — Bahá’u’lláhRise then unto that for which thou wast created — Bahá’u’lláhTo the eternal I call thee, yet thou dost seek that which perisheth — Bahá’u’lláhTransgress not thy limits, nor claim that which beseemeth thee not. — Bahá’u’lláhVaunt not thyself over the poor, for I lead him on his way and behold thee in thy evil plight and confound thee forevermore. — Bahá’u’lláhHow couldst thou forget thine own faults and busy thyself with the faults of others? — Bahá’u’lláhBreathe not the sins of others so long as thou art thyself a sinner — Bahá’u’lláhHe that biddeth men be just and himself committeth iniquity is not of Me — Bahá’u’lláhAscribe not to any soul that which thou wouldst not have ascribed to thee — Bahá’u’lláhDeny not My servant should he ask anything from thee, for his face is My face — Bahá’u’lláhBring thyself to account each day ere thou art summoned to a reckoning — Bahá’u’lláhI have made death a messenger of joy to thee. Wherefore dost thou grieve? — Bahá’u’lláhWith the joyful tidings of light I hail thee: rejoice! To the court of holiness I summon thee; abide therein that thou mayest live in peace forevermore. — Bahá’u’lláhThe spirit of holiness beareth unto thee the joyful tidings of reunion — Bahá’u’lláhSorrow not save that thou art far from Us. Rejoice not save that thou art drawing near and returning unto Us. — Bahá’u’lláhRejoice in the gladness of thine heart, that thou mayest be worthy to meet Me — Bahá’u’lláhDivest not thyself of My beauteous robe, and forfeit not thy portion from My wondrous fountain, lest thou shouldst thirst forevermore. — Bahá’u’lláhWalk in My statutes for love of Me and deny thyself that which thou desirest if thou seekest My pleasure. — Bahá’u’lláhNeglect not My commandments if thou lovest My beauty — Bahá’u’lláhWert thou to speed through the immensity of space and traverse the expanse of heaven, yet thou wouldst find no rest save in submission to Our command and humbleness before Our Face. — Bahá’u’lláhMagnify My cause that I may reveal unto thee the mysteries of My greatness — Bahá’u’lláhHumble thyself before Me, that I may graciously visit thee — Bahá’u’lláhMake mention of Me on My earth, that in My heaven I may remember thee — Bahá’u’lláhThy hearing is My hearing, hear thou therewith. Thy sight is My sight, do thou see therewith — Bahá’u’lláhSeek a martyr’s death in My path, content with My pleasure and thankful for that which I ordain — Bahá’u’lláhPonder and reflect. Is it thy wish to die upon thy bed, or to shed thy lifeblood on the dust — Bahá’u’lláhTo tinge thy hair with thy blood is greater in My sight than the creation of the universe — Bahá’u’lláhThe sign of love is fortitude under My decree and patience under My trials — Bahá’u’lláhThe true lover yearneth for tribulation even as doth the rebel for forgiveness — Bahá’u’lláhIf adversity befall thee not in My path, how canst thou walk in the ways of them that are content with My pleasure? — Bahá’u’lláhMy calamity is My providence, outwardly it is fire and vengeance, but inwardly it is light and mercy. — Bahá’u’lláhShould prosperity befall thee, rejoice not, and should abasement come upon thee, grieve not, for both shall pass away and be no more. — Bahá’u’lláhIf poverty overtake thee, be not sad; for in time the Lord of wealth shall visit thee. — Bahá’u’lláhIf thine heart be set upon this eternal, imperishable dominion, and this ancient, everlasting life, forsake this mortal and fleeting sovereignty. — Bahá’u’lláhBusy not thyself with this world, for with fire We test the gold, and with gold We test Our servants. — Bahá’u’lláhThou dost wish for gold and I desire thy freedom from it. — Bahá’u’lláhTo offer up thy soul is a more glorious thing couldst thou but see with Mine eye. — Bahá’u’lláhThe temple of being is My throne; cleanse it of all things — Bahá’u’lláhThy heart is My home; sanctify it for My descent. — Bahá’u’lláhPut thy hand into My bosom, that I may rise above thee, radiant and resplendent. — Bahá’u’lláhAscend unto My heaven, that thou mayest obtain the joy of reunion — Bahá’u’lláhLift up thy head from slumber, for the Sun hath risen to the zenith — Bahá’u’lláhThe light hath shone on thee from the horizon of the sacred Mount and the spirit of enlightenment hath breathed in the Sinai of thy heart. — Bahá’u’lláhMy eternity is My creation, I have created it for thee. — Bahá’u’lláhMy majesty is My gift to thee, and My grandeur the token of My mercy unto thee. — Bahá’u’lláhFor minds cannot grasp Me nor hearts contain Me. — Bahá’u’lláhBy My spirit and by My favor! By My mercy and by My beauty! — Bahá’u’lláhKnow ye not why We created you all from the same dust? That no one should exalt himself over the other. — Bahá’u’lláhYe are My treasury, for in you I have treasured the pearls of My mysteries and the gems of My knowledge. — Bahá’u’lláhBe then content with My pleasure and thankful unto Me. — Bahá’u’lláhWrite all that We have revealed unto thee with the ink of light upon the tablet of thy spirit. — Bahá’u’lláhAbide not but in the rose garden of the spirit. — Bahá’u’lláhThe bird seeketh its nest; the nightingale the charm of the rose — Bahá’u’lláhIn the garden of thy heart plant naught but the rose of love — Bahá’u’lláhWhither can a lover go but to the land of his beloved? — Bahá’u’lláhOf all men the most negligent is he that disputeth idly and seeketh to advance himself over his brother. — Bahá’u’lláhKnow, verily, the heart wherein the least remnant of envy yet lingereth, shall never attain My everlasting dominion — Bahá’u’lláhThou art but one step away from the glorious heights above and from the celestial tree of love. — Bahá’u’lláhBe swift in the path of holiness, and enter the heaven of communion with Me. — Bahá’u’lláhPass beyond the baser stages of doubt and rise to the exalted heights of certainty. — Bahá’u’lláhNever shall mortal eye recognize the everlasting Beauty — Bahá’u’lláhBlind thine eyes, that thou mayest behold My beauty; stop thine ears, that thou mayest hearken unto the sweet melody of My voice — Bahá’u’lláhClose one eye and open the other. — Bahá’u’lláhI fear lest, bereft of the melody of the dove of heaven, ye will sink back to the shades of utter loss — Bahá’u’lláhAbandon not the everlasting beauty for a beauty that must die — Bahá’u’lláhThe time cometh, when the nightingale of holiness will no longer unfold the inner mysteries — Bahá’u’lláhMyriads of mystic tongues find utterance in one speech, and myriads of hidden mysteries are revealed in a single melody — Bahá’u’lláhThe gates that open on the Placeless stand wide — Bahá’u’lláhProclaim unto the children of assurance that within the realms of holiness, nigh unto the celestial paradise, a new garden hath appeared — Bahá’u’lláhHave ye forgotten that true and radiant morn — Bahá’u’lláhAges have passed and your precious lives are well-nigh ended — Bahá’u’lláhI desire communion with thee, but thou wouldst put no trust in Me. — Bahá’u’lláhThe learned and the wise have for long years striven and failed to attain the presence of the All-Glorious — Bahá’u’lláhMortal blasts have beset the everlasting candle — Bahá’u’lláhWherefore do ye wear the guise of shepherds, when inwardly ye have become wolves — Bahá’u’lláhYe are like clear but bitter water, which to outward seeming is crystal pure — Bahá’u’lláhHast thou ever heard that friend and foe should abide in one heart? — Bahá’u’lláhAll that is in heaven and earth I have ordained for thee, except the human heart — Bahá’u’lláhAt many a dawn have I turned from the realms of the Placeless unto thine abode — Bahá’u’lláhOut of the wastes of nothingness, with the clay of My command I made thee to appear — Bahá’u’lláhMany a dawn hath the breeze of My loving-kindness wafted over thee — Bahá’u’lláhWouldst thou have Me, seek none other than Me — Bahá’u’lláhThe candle of thine heart is lighted by the hand of My power, quench it not with the contrary winds of self and passion. — Bahá’u’lláhHearken to the delightsome words of My honeyed tongue — Bahá’u’lláhWith the hands of loving-kindness I have planted in the holy garden of paradise the young tree of your love and friendship — Bahá’u’lláhQuench ye the lamp of error, and kindle within your hearts the everlasting torch of divine guidance. — Bahá’u’lláhThe wise are they that speak not unless they obtain a hearing — Bahá’u’lláhAbandon not for that which perisheth an everlasting dominion — Bahá’u’lláhBurst thy cage asunder, and even as the phoenix of love soar into the firmament of holiness. — Bahá’u’lláhBe not content with the ease of a passing day, and deprive not thyself of everlasting rest. — Bahá’u’lláhFree thyself from the fetters of this world, and loose thy soul from the prison of self. — Bahá’u’lláhDidst thou behold immortal sovereignty, thou wouldst strive to pass from this fleeting world. — Bahá’u’lláhPurge thy heart from malice and, innocent of envy, enter the divine court of holiness. — Bahá’u’lláhWalk ye in the ways of the good pleasure of the Friend — Bahá’u’lláhHear no evil, and see no evil, abase not thyself, neither sigh and weep. — Bahá’u’lláhEven as the swiftness of lightning ye have passed by the Beloved One — Bahá’u’lláhWherefore have ye neglected the mention of the Loved One, and kept remote from His holy presence? — Bahá’u’lláhPut away the garment of vainglory, and divest yourselves of the attire of haughtiness. — Bahá’u’lláhBe forbearing one with another and set not your affections on things below. — Bahá’u’lláhTell the rich of the midnight sighing of the poor — Bahá’u’lláhPut away all covetousness and seek contentment — Bahá’u’lláhBe not troubled in poverty nor confident in riches, for poverty is followed by riches, and riches are followed by poverty. — Bahá’u’lláhYe have suffered My enemy to enter My house and have cast out My friend — Bahá’u’lláhKnow ye in truth that wealth is a mighty barrier between the seeker and his desire, the lover and his beloved. — Bahá’u’lláhThe poor in your midst are My trust; guard ye My trust, and be not intent only on your own ease. — Bahá’u’lláhCleanse thyself from the defilement of riches and in perfect peace advance into the realm of poverty — Bahá’u’lláhThe company of the ungodly increaseth sorrow, whilst fellowship with the righteous cleanseth the rust from off the heart. — Bahá’u’lláhWalk not with the ungodly and seek not fellowship with him — Bahá’u’lláhWouldst thou seek the grace of the Holy Spirit, enter into fellowship with the righteous — Bahá’u’lláhThink not the secrets of hearts are hidden — Bahá’u’lláhVerily I say, whatsoever ye have concealed within your hearts is to Us open and manifest as the day — Bahá’u’lláhA dewdrop out of the fathomless ocean of My mercy I have shed upon the peoples of the world — Bahá’u’lláhTurn not away thine eyes from the matchless wine of the immortal Beloved — Bahá’u’lláhKnow, verily, that an unforeseen calamity followeth you — Bahá’u’lláhWithdraw your hands from tyranny — Bahá’u’lláhMy forbearance hath emboldened you and My long-suffering hath made you negligent — Bahá’u’lláhThe tongue I have designed for the mention of Me, defile it not with detraction. — Bahá’u’lláhKnow, verily, that while the radiant dawn breaketh above the horizon of eternal holiness, the satanic secrets and deeds done in the gloom of night shall be laid bare — Bahá’u’lláhWherefore have not these soiled hands of thine touched first thine own garment — Bahá’u’lláhHoly words and pure and goodly deeds ascend unto the heaven of celestial glory. — Bahá’u’lláhPleasant is the realm of being, wert thou to attain thereto — Bahá’u’lláhCall ye to mind that covenant ye have entered into with Me upon Mount — Bahá’u’lláhThou art even as a finely tempered sword concealed in the darkness of its sheath — Bahá’u’lláhThou art the daystar of the heavens of My holiness, let not the defilement of the world eclipse thy splendor. — Bahá’u’lláhFor a fleeting sovereignty ye have abandoned My imperishable dominion — Bahá’u’lláhSet not your affections on mortal sovereignty and rejoice not therein. — Bahá’u’lláhGuidance hath ever been given by words, and now it is given by deeds. — Bahá’u’lláhIn the night-season the beauty of the immortal Being hath repaired from the emerald height of fidelity — Bahá’u’lláhQuaff from the tongue of the merciful the stream of divine mystery — Bahá’u’lláhHow long wilt thou soar in the realms of desire? — Bahá’u’lláhYe are the trees of My garden; ye must give forth goodly and wondrous fruits — Bahá’u’lláhThe basest of men are they that yield no fruit on earth. — Bahá’u’lláhThe best of men are they that earn a livelihood by their calling — Bahá’u’lláh