Under all conditions, the teaching must be carried forward,
but with wisdom. If the work cannot proceed openly, then let them teach in
private, and thus engender spirituality and fellowship among the children of
men. If, for example, each and every one of the believers would become a true
friend to one of the unheeding, and, conducting himself with absolute
rectitude, associate with this soul, treat him with the utmost kindness,
himself exemplify the divine instructions he hath received, the good qualities
and behaviour patterns, and at all times act in accord with the admonitions of
God—it is certain that little by little he will succeed in awakening that
previously heedless individual, and in changing his ignorance to knowledge of
the truth.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)
