If any of the friends should enter into the service of the
government, they should make their occupation a means of drawing nearer to the
divine Threshold: they should act with probity and uprightness, rigorously shun
all forms of venality and corruption, and content themselves with the salaries
they are receiving, taking pride, rather, in the degree of sagacity, competence
and judgement that they can bring to their work. If a person content himself
with a single loaf of bread, and perform his duties with as much justice and
fair-mindedness as lieth within his power, he will be the prince of mortals,
and the most praiseworthy of men. Noble and distinguished will he be, despite
his empty purse! Pre-eminent will he rank among the free, although his garb be
old and worn!
(‘Abdu’l-Baha, from a Tablet; The Compilation of Compilations,
vol. I, Trustworthiness: A Cardinal
Bahá'í Virtue)
