Praise

Praise of individuals in general (present or not present)

The friends should praise those who are sincere and trying to serve

"...The friends of God must have utmost consideration for those souls who are sincere and endeavoring to serve in the Cause.

"For example, when we see a man doing public service, we must have consideration for him; if he gives a good address, we must praise him; if he makes wise suggestions, and if good intentions appear from him, we must have for him the greatest consideration."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Star of the West, vol. 3, issue 10, p. 8)

Opening lips in praise of another will touch an answering chord in one's hearers and make others rejoice at a soul in the Faith being a focus of perfections

"If, however, a person setteth about speaking well of another, opening his lips to praise another, he will touch an answering chord in his hearers and they will be stirred up by the breathings of God. Their hearts and souls will rejoice to know that, God be thanked, here is a soul in the Faith who is a focus of human perfections, a very embodiment of the bounties of the Lord, one whose tongue is eloquent, and whose face shineth, in whatever gathering he may be, one who hath victory upon his brow, and who is a being sustained by the sweet savours of God."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, sec. 193, p. 231)

Every one of the friends should highly praise the other

"Every one of the friends should highly praise the other and each should regard himself as evanescent and as naught in the presence of others."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, from a Tablet - translated from the Persian; in Consultation (compilation), no. 15)

Praise of children

Children in class to be praised after advancement and encouraged for further development (including in Godlike affairs)

"The children who are at the head of the class must receive premiums. They must be encouraged and when any one of them shows good advancement, for the further development they must be praised and encouraged therein. Even so in Godlike affairs."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, "The Bahá'í World", Vol. 9 (1940-1944) (Wilmette: Bahá'í Publishing Committee, 1945), p. 543, in Baha'i Education, 145)

When a mother sees her child doing well, let her praise and applaud him

"Whensoever a mother seeth that her child hath done well, let her praise and applaud him and cheer his heart; and if the slightest undesirable trait should manifest itself, let her counsel the child and punish him, and use means based on reason, even a slight verbal chastisement should this be necessary. It is not, however, permissible to strike a child, or vilify him, for the child's character will be totally perverted if he be subjected to blows or verbal abuse."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, sec. 95, pp. 124-25)

See also

• Thanks

To-dos for this page

• Praise of God