Monday, February 28, 2011

A Very Impressive Letter



This is a letter that Abraham Lincoln wrote to his son's Headmaster. I think it is very powerful and a wonderful sentiment. I want these very same things for my sons.

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 Politician,
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 honourable to fail
than to cheat...
Teach him to have faith
in his own ideas,
even if everyone tells him
they are 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 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.

Teach him to close his ears
to a howling mob
and to stand and fight
if he thinks he's 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,
because then he will have
sublime faith in mankind.

This is a big order,
but see what you can do...
He is such a fine fellow,
my son!

3 comments:

Jena said...

I love it good moral

Connie said...

It is a good letter. However, I see it as Lincoln's job as his parent to be teaching his child this, not the teachers. I don't mean to be negative but that is what is wrong with America... parents send their kids to school for someone else to teach them academics, manners, socialization, etc. Send them to church for the religious stuff. Send them here and there but NEVER teach anything themselves. I am NOT saying sending your kids to school is wrong...what I am saying is expecting the teachers to do your (not you as in you Jena, but as in you in general) job is wrong.

Jena said...

I agree with you Connie. I have actually kind of turned this into a prayer and pray that God helps me to teach these things to my children.

I just like the way that he looks at things, he doesn't want things to necessarily be easy for his son, but for his son to be able to handle things when they are not.

(The top comment with my name on it, was actually from my son - I made him read the letter and he read it while I was logged on to my blog.)

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