Perseverance is an admirable quality. We often need to set goals for ourselves and strive to meet them. But there is a difference between perseverance and obsession.

The hunter picked up his gear and went in search of prey. While he was laying his traps, a beautiful bird caught his eye. So enchanting was the bird that he began to follow it. After a while, he forgot that he was hunting for food and concentrated on the bird, which he thought could be sold for a good price in the market.

But the bird was not easy to catch. It seemed that to read the hunter's mind. Just as he was about to capture it, it would fly to the next tree and sit on a branch waiting, as if it were teasing him. Gradually, catching the bird became the hunter's obsession. He would run, he would pause, and he would sneak up on the bird. It was exhausting. Once he failed to notice a rock in his way and fell.

Then he became angry, which made him careless. His reckless movement attracted the attention of a hungry wolf. But he was so intent on catching the beautiful bird that he did not notice the wolf behind him. When he finally did, the wolf was about to leap on him.

He ran to a tree and climbed it as fast as he could. As he sat on a branch looking in fear at the wolf below, he realized that because of his obsession he was not the hunter anymore, the hunter had become the prey.

In all matters moderation is desirable. If a thing is carried to excess, it will prove a source of evil.

There are times when we all need something that we do not have. To work for that which we desire is worthy of praise. However, if it is not controlled, desire can become greed, and greed can become our master.

A dog found a nice juicy bone lying in the trash. He quickly grabbed it and headed home, imagining all the time the pleasure of eating the bone in the peace. On the way, he had to cross a small river that ran through the village. As he stepped on the plank used for crossing, his eyes fell on a delightful sight. There in the calm waters of the river was another dog, just like himself, with a delicious-looking bone in his mouth.

This is my lucky day, he thought. Surely I can take away that bone from this silly dog. By the time he gets out of the water, I will have reached home. But the moment he opened his mouth, his bone fell into the water and disappeared. All he could see, then, was the other dog starring back at him with a sad look on his face. It was the face of a disappointed dog who had lost not one but two delicious meals.

Concern yourself with the things that benefit mankind, and not with your corrupt and selfish desires.

Know ye not why We created you all from the same dust? That no one should exalt himself over the other. Ponder at all times in your hearts how ye were created.

The Baha'i Writing.

The following quotation below sheds more light on the spiritual quality of Moderation.

The civilization, so vaunted by the learned exponents of arts and sciences, will if allowed to overlap the bounds of moderation, bring great evil upon men. Thus warneth you, He who is the All-Knowing. If carried to excess, civilization will prove as prolific a source of evil as it had been of goodness when kept within the restraint of moderation.

Gleanings from the writing of Baha'u'llah.

Thou hast written that they have pledged themselves to observe maximum austerity in their lives to forward the remainder of their income to His exalted presence. This matter was mentioned at His Holy Court. He said: Let them act with moderation and not impose hardship upon themselves. We would like them both to enjoy a well-pleasing life.

Baha'u'llah, Huqu'qu'llah Page 20