26th Chapter
Cultivating steadiness overcomes frivolity.
Cultivating benevolence overcomes heartlessness.
Therefore, the sage is steady in all things.
Even if he is exposed to temptation, he will keep an unwavering mind.

Why does a ruler treat everything with frivolity, and look down on the world?
A frivolous ruler will lose the support of the people.
A tyrant will lose the respect of his people.

Implications from the Holy Books

The purpose underlying the revelation of every heavenly Book, nay, of every divinely revealed verse, is to endue all men with righteousness and understanding, so that peace and tranquillity may be firmly established amongst them. Whatsoever instilleth assurance into the hearts of men, whatsoever exalteth their station or promoteth their contentment, is acceptable in the sight of God. How lofty is the station which man, if he but choose to fulfill his high destiny, can attain! To what depths of degradation he can sink, depths which the meanest of creatures have never reached! Seize, O friends, the chance which this Day offereth you, and deprive not yourselves of the liberal effusions of His grace. I beseech God that He may graciously enable every one of you to adorn himself, in this blessed Day, with the ornament of pure and holy deeds. He, verily, doeth whatsoever He willeth. ── Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh 101

Let not this life and its deceits deceive you, for the world and all that is therein is held firmly in the grasp of His Will. He bestoweth His favor on whom He willeth, and from whom He willeth He taketh it away. He doth whatsoever He chooseth. Had the world been of any worth in His sight, He surely would never have allowed His enemies to possess it, even to the extent of a grain of mustard seed. ── Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh 103

O CHILDREN OF NEGLIGENCE!
Set not your affections on mortal sovereignty and rejoice not therein. Ye are even as the unwary bird that with full confidence warbleth upon the bough; till of a sudden the fowler Death throws it upon the dust, and the melody, the form and the color are gone, leaving not a trace. Wherefore take heed, O bondslaves of desire!  —Bahá’u’lláh, The Hidden Words, Persian 75

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