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Saturday, June 4, 2011

ABRAHAM LINCOLN’S LETTER TO HIS SON’S TEACHER



He will have to learn, I know, that all men are not just, all men are not true. But teach him also that for every scoundrel there is a hero; that for every selfish politici8an, there is a dedicated leader. Teach him for every enemy there is a friend.
Steer him away from envy, if you can, teach him the secret of quiet laughter
Let him learn early that the bullies are the easiest to lick. Teach him, if you can, the wonder of books. But also give him quiet time to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the sun, and the flowers on a green hillside
In the school teach him it is far honorable to fail than to cheat.
Teach him to have faith in his own ideas, even if everyone tells him they wrong. Teach him to be gentle with gentle people, and tough with the tough
Try to give my son the strength not to follow the crowd when everyone is getting on the band wagon. Teach him to listen to all men, but teach him also to filter all he hears on a screen of truth, and take only the good that comes through
Teach him if you can, how to laugh when he is said
Teach him there is no shame in tears,
Teach him to scoff at cynics and to beware of too much sweetness
Teach him to sell his brawn and brain to the highest bidders but never to put a price-tag on his heart and soul
Teach him to close his ears to a howling mob and to stand and fight if he thinks he is right
Treat him gently, but do not cuddle him, because only the test of fire makes fine steel
Let him have the courage to be impatient
Let him have the patience to be brave
Teach him always to have sublime faith in himself beacuas then he will have sublime faith in mankind
This is big order, but see what you can do
He is such a fine fellow, my son

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