hat which profiteth yourselves and
others. Thus hath it been decreed in this Tablet from whose horizon the
day-star of wisdom and utterance shineth resplendent.

The most despised of men in the sight of God are those who sit idly and
beg. Hold ye fast unto the cord of material means, placing your whole
trust in God, the Provider of all means. When anyone occupieth himself in
a craft or trade, such occupation itself is regarded in the estimation of
God as an act of worship; and this is naught but a token of His infinite
and all-pervasive bounty.

("Tablets of Baha'u'llah Revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas" [rev. ed.],
(Haifa: Baha'i World Centre, 1982), p. 26) [76]

Extracts From the Writings and Utterances of 'Abdu'l-Baha:

77: The handmaidens of God and the bondsmaids in His divine Court
should...

The handmaidens of God and the bondsmaids in His divine Court should
reveal such attributes and attitudes amongst the women of the world as
would cause them to stand out and achieve renown in the circles of women.
That is, they should associate with them with supreme chastity and
steadfast decency, with unshakeable faith, articulate speech, an eloquent
tongue, irrefutable testimony and high resolve. Beseech God that thou
mayest attain unto all these bounties.

(From a Tablet - translated from the Persian) [77]

78: Until the reality of equality between man and woman is fully
established and...

Until the reality of equality between man and woman is fully established
and attained, the highest social development of mankind is not possible.
Even granted that woman is inferior to man in some degree of capacity or
accomplishment, this or any other distinction would continue to be
productive of discord and trouble. The only remedy is education,
opportunity; for equality means equal qualification....

And let it be known once more that until woman and man recognize and
realize equality, social and political progress here or anywhere will not
be possible....

("The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Baha
during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912", pp. 76-77) [78]

79: ...the principle of religion has been revealed by Baha'u'llah that
woman...

...the principle of religion has been revealed by Baha'u'llah that woman
must be given the privilege of equal education with man and full right to
his prerogatives. That is to say, there must be no difference in the
e