Abraham Lincolns letter to his sons Head Master

Respected Teacher,
My son will have to learn I know that all men are not just, all men are not
true !ut teach him also that "or ever scoundrel there is a hero# that "or
every sel"ish politician, there is a dedicated leader Teach him that "or
every enemy there is a "riend
It will take time, I know# but teach him, i" you can, that a dollar earned is
"ar more valuable than "ive "ound
Teach him to learn to lose and also to enjoy winnin$
%teer him away "rom envy, i" you can
Teach him the secret o" &uite lau$hter Let him learn early that the
bullies are the easiest to tick
Teach him, i" you can, the wonder o" books but also $ive him &uiet time
to ponder over the eternal mystery o" birds in the sky, bees in the sun,
and "lowers on a $reen hill 'side
In school teach him it is "ar more honourable to "ail than to cheat
Teach him to have "aith in his own ideas, even i" every one tells him they
are wron$
Teach him to be $entle with $entle people and tou$h with the tou$h
Try to $ive my son the stren$th not to "ollow the crowd when every one
is $ettin$ on the bandwa$on
Teach him to listen to all men but teach him also to "ilter all he hears on
a screen o" truth and take only the $ood that comes throu$h
Teach him, i" you can, how to lau$h when he is sad Teach him there is
no shame in tears Teach him to sco"" at cynics and to beware o" too
much sweetness
Teach him to sell his brawn and brain to the hi$hest bidders# but never
to put a price ta$ on his heart and soul
Teach him to close his ears to a howlin$ mob( and to stand and "i$ht i"
he thinks hes ri$ht
Treat him $ently# but do not cuddle him because only the test o" "ire
makes "ine steel
Let him have the coura$e to be impatient, let him have the patience to
be brave Teach him always to have sublime "aith in himsel" because
then he will always have sublime "aith in mankind
This is a bi$ order# but see what you can do He is such a "ine little
"ellow, my son
Abraham Lincoln
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teacher.html#ixzz2pv9V!la