13th Chapter
Being favored and disregarded both bring fear.
Great trouble comes from attachment to fame.

What is meant by “Both favor and disregard bring fear?”
Favor leads to a fear of losing it and
Disregard leads to a fear of disgrace.

What is meant by “Great trouble comes from attachment to fame?”
It is great trouble to me if I value fame as my life.
If I am not attached to fame, then where is my trouble?

Therefore, if a man values serving humanity, then people can depend on him.
If a man cherishes service to others, then people can trust him.

Implications from the Holy Books

O SON OF SPIRIT! Ask not of Me that which We desire not for thee, then be content with what We have ordained for thy sake, for this is that which profiteth thee, if therewith thou dost content thyself. —Bahá’u’lláh, The Hidden Words, Arabic 18

SON OF MAN!
Should prosperity befall thee, rejoice not, and should abasement come upon thee, grieve not, for both shall pass away and be no more. —Bahá’u’lláh, The Hidden Words, Arabic 52

O BRETHREN!
Be forbearing one with another and set not your affections on things below. Pride not yourselves in your glory, and be not ashamed of abasement. By My beauty! I have created all things from dust, and to dust will I return them again. . —Bahá’u’lláh, The Hidden Words, Persian 48

Those virtues that befit his dignity are forbearance, mercy, compassion and loving-kindness towards all the peoples and kindreds of the earth. Say: O friends! Drink your fill from this crystal stream that floweth through the heavenly grace of Him Who is the Lord of Names. Let others partake of its waters in My name, that the leaders of men in every land may fully recognize the purpose for which the Eternal Truth hath been revealed, and the reason for which they themselves have been created. —Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh 109

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