If one teaches one whom he loves because of his love for
him, then he will not teach one whom he loves not; and that is not of God. If
one teaches in order to derive the promised benefit to himself, this too is not
from God. If he teaches because of God's Will that God may be known -- and for
that reason only -- he will receive knowledge and wisdom, and his words will
have effect -- being made powerful by the Holy Spirit -- and will take root in
the souls of those who are in the right condition to receive them. In such a
case the benefit to the teacher in growth is as ninety percent compared to the
ten percent of gain to the hearer, because he becomes like a tree bearing fruit
through the power of God.
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Cited in Star of the West, vol. III,
no. 19, 2 March 1913)
