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"The fruit of man's earthly existence... is the recognition of the one true God." "If a tree bear no fruit it had better be cut down... It is better a thousand times for a man to die than to continue... without virtue." (Gl 345; Pt 113) (79:3) "If you plant a seed in the ground, a tree will become manifest from that seed. The seed sacrifices itself to the tree that will come from it. The seed is outwardly lost, destroyed, but the same seed which is sacrificed will be absorbed and embodied in the tree, its blossoms, fruit and branches. If the identity of that seed had not been sacrificed to the tree which became manifest from it, no branches, blossoms or fruits would have been forthcoming." (Pup 446) (79:4) "New fruits must be forthcoming; for that is the provision and intention of spiritual re- formation. The renewal of the leaf is fruitless. From the re- formation of bark or branch no fruit will come forth. The renewal of verdure produces nothing. If there be no renewal of fruit from the tree, of what avail is the re- formation of bark, blossom, branch and trunk?" (Pup 272- 3) (79:5) "All creatures that exist are dependent upon the Divine Bounty. Divine Mercy gives life itself. As the light of the sun shines on the whole world, so the Mercy of the infinite God is shed on all creatures. As the sun ripens the fruits of the earth, and gives life and warmth to all living beings, so shines the Sun of Truth on all souls, filling them with the fire of Divine love and understanding." (Pt 25) "God... is like the sun." (Pup 307) (79:6) "Be well watered with the abundant rain falling from the clouds of the Testament of God, that thou mayest bring forth fresh and ripe fruits which are beneficial to the hearts and souls." (Tab- I 131) (79:7) "The heart must of necessity be spiritual. A tree must be fruitful; it may be very tall, very verdant, but yield no fruits. The fruits of the tree of... human life are the love of God, magnetic, spiritual susceptibilities, good morals and conduct. A person whose tree of life produces such fruits is a Baha'i; otherwise he is of the earth, earthy, self- occupied, and following the dictates of his own desires, and is man only in name. As.. Christ says: 'Ye shall know the tree by its fruits.'" (SofW Vol 7 p151) (79:8) "All those who seek truth in the Heavenly Kingdom shine like stars; they are like fruit trees laden with choice fruit." (Pt 118)
(79:9)
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