Lincon's Letter To His Son's Headmaster.

Respected teacher,
My son 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 that for every enemy
there is a friend.

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

Teach him to learn to lose and
also enjoy the winning.

Steer him away from envy, if
you can .

Teach him the secret of quiet
laughter. Let him learn early
that bullies are easiest
to lick.

Teach him if you can the
wonder of books…but also give
him quiet time to ponder over
the eternal mystery of birds in
the sky, bees in the sun, and
flowers on the green hill-side.

In school teach him it is far
more honorable 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
be aware of too much
sweetness.

Teach him to sell of his brawn and
brain to the highest bidders;
but never 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
always have sublime faith in
mankind.

This is a big order;
but see what you can do…he is such a fine
little fellow, my son

Abraham Lincoln