Abraham Lincoln’s Letter to his Son’s Headmaster (Dedicated to Teachers)

President Lincoln wanted his son to grow up as a fine gentleman, 

so he wrote a letter to the teacher requesting to teach his son the worthiness of life. 

Throughout the letter, there is no mention of his Presidential role - in fact, he wrote to the teacher with respect. 

The letter was written more than 150 years ago, but these lessons are still valuable today.

                  Abraham Lincoln’s Letter to his Son’s Headmaster 

My son starts school today. It is going to be strange and new to him for a while.

So dear teacher - will you please take him by his hand and teach him things he will have to know, teaching him – but gently, if you can. 

He will have to know that all men are not just, that all men are not truthful. 

However, teach him also that for every scoundrel, there is a hero.

That for every selfish politician, there is a dedicated leader.

Teach him that for every enemy, there is a friend. 

It will take time, I know, but teach him if you can that ten cents earned are of far more value than a dollar found. 

In school - teacher - it is far more honorable to fail than to cheat.

Teach him to learn how to lose gracefully and also to enjoy winning. 

Steer him away from envy, if you can, teach him the secret of quiet laughter. 

Teach him to have faith in his own ideas, even if everyone tells him they are wrong... 

Try to give my son the strength not to follow the crowd when everyone is getting on the bandwagon...

Teach him to close his ears to a howling mob...and to stand and fight if he thinks he is right. 

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. 

Let him learn early that the bullies are the easiest to lick...

Teach him to be gentle with people, but tough with tough people. 

Teach him, if you can, the wonder of a book...

but also give him quiet time to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the sun, and flowers on a green hillside. 

Teach him, if you can, how to laugh when he is sad...

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. 

Treat him gently, but do not pamper 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 to have sublime faith in himself - 

because then he will always have sublime faith in mankind. 

To live this life will require faith, love, and courage.

This is a big order, but see what you can do...

He is such a fine little fellow, my son.

                                                 (From the Web)