个人与团体的关系

 ……there is a distinction of fundamental importance which should be always remembered in this connection, and this is between the Spiritual Assembly as an institution, and the persons who comprise it. These are by no means supposed to be perfect, nor can they be considered as inherently superior to the rest of their fellow believers. It is precisely because they are subject to the same human limitations that characterize the other members of the community that they have to be elected every year... . Letter written on behalf of ——Shoghi Effendi.

灵理会作为一个机构与组成这个机构的个人之间，有个基本的、重要的区别。我们切不可当这些人是完美的，或觉得他们天生比其他人优秀。他们也跟其他人一样，有人性的局限。正因为如此，灵理会才需要每年改选一次。——守基‧阿芬第。

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……These Local Spiritual Assemblies will have to be elected directly by the friends, and every declared believer of twenty-one years and above, far from standing aloof and assuming an indifferent or independent attitude, should regard it his sacred duty to take part conscientiously and diligently, in the election, the consolidation and the efficient working of his own local Assembly. ——Shoghi Effendi. 

……地方灵理会直接由教友选出来。每一位正式的教友，年龄21岁及以上者，不应远远地袖手旁观，不当它一回事，而必须把选举当作一项神圣的义务，凭着良知勤快地参与。由此巩固地方灵理会，促进它的效率。——守基‧阿芬第。

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This distinguishing right. . . does not carry with it nor does it imply an obligation to cast his vote if he feels that the circumstances under which he lives do not justify or allow him to exercise that right intelligently and with understanding. ——Shoghi Effendi.

……假如一名人士觉得情况不允许他做出明智的决定，而且要他投票不合情理，那么，他可以不必执行这个独特的权利，免除投票，不把它当作一个必需的义务。——守基‧阿芬第。

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What the friends should do is to get thoroughly acquainted with one another, to exchange views, to mix freely and discuss among themselves the requirements and qualifications for such a membership [on an assembly] without reference or application, however indirect, to particular individuals. We should refrain from influencing the opinion of others, of canvassing for any particular individual, but should stress the necessity of getting fully acquainted with the qualifications of membership . . . and of learning more about one another through direct, personal experience rather than through the reports and opinions of our friends. ——Shoghi Effendi.

朋友们应该互相认识、互相熟络、交换意见，在不针对个人或个别事件，不间接影射某某人的情况下，讨论作为巴哈伊灵理会成员所应有的品德和素质。我们不可影响他人的想法，亦不可替某某人作宣传，但是必须强调，朋友们应充分了解灵理会成员所需具备的素质。……朋友们应从自己的接触中去了解，而非听取他人的报告和意见。——守基‧阿芬第。

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……to consider without the least trace of passion and prejudice, and irrespective of any material consideration, the names of only those who can best combine the necessary qualities of unquestioned loyalty, of selfless devotion, of a well-trained mind, of recognized ability and mature experience. . . . ——Shoghi Effendi.

……不带丝毫的个人喜恶和偏见，排除一切物质条件，思考谁最能集中表现不二的忠诚、无私的奉献、训练有素的头脑、有目共睹的能力和成熟的经验，这些必需的品质……——守基‧阿芬第。

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