heir childhood, their hearts
and minds are unsullied by the world. They cannot display any great
intelligence. They have neither hypocrisy nor deceit. This is on account
of the child's weakness, whereas the man becomes pure through his
strength. Through the power of intelligence he becomes simple; through the
great power of reason and understanding and not through the power of
weakness he becomes sincere. When he attains to the state of perfection,
he will receive these qualities; his heart becomes purified, his spirit
enlightened, his soul is sensitized and tender--all through his great
strength. This is the difference between the perfect man and the child.
Both have the underlying qualities of simplicity and sincerity--the child
through the power of weakness and the man through the power of strength.

...

I give you my advice, and it is this: Train these children with divine
exhortations. From their childhood instill in their hearts the love of God
so they may manifest in their lives the fear of God and have confidence in
the bestowals of God. Teach them to free themselves from human
imperfections and to acquire the divine perfections latent in the heart of
man. The life of man is useful if he attains the perfections of man. If he
becomes the center of the imperfections of the world of humanity, death is
better than life, and nonexistence better than existence. Therefore, make
ye an effort in order that these children may be rightly trained and
educated and that each of them may attain perfection in the world of
humanity. Know ye the value of these children for they are all my
children.

("The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Baha
during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912", 2nd. ed.
(Wilmette: Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1982), pp. 52-54) [147]

"148: If a pupil is told that his intelligence is less than his fellow
pupils, it is..."

If a pupil is told that his intelligence is less than his fellow pupils,
it is a very great drawback and handicap to his progress. He must be
encouraged to advance...

("The Promulgation of Universal Peace", pp. 76-77) [148]

"149: ...According to the teachings of Baha'u'llah the family, being a
human ,..."

...According to the teachings of Baha'u'llah the family, being a human ,
unit must be educated according to the rules of sanctity. All the virtues
must be taught the family. The integrity of the family bond must be
constant