O ye who have peace of soul! Among the divine Texts as set
forth in the Most Holy Book and also in other Tablets is this: it is incumbent
upon the father and mother to train their children both in good conduct and the
study of books; study, that is, to the degree required, so that no child,
whether girl or boy, will remain illiterate. Should the father fail in his duty
he must be compelled to discharge his responsibility, and should he be unable
to comply, let the House of Justice take over the education of the children; in
no case is a child to be left without an education. This is one of the
stringent and inescapable commandments to neglect which would draw down the
wrathful indignation of Almighty God.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections from the
Writings pf ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)
