Abraham Lincoln wrote a letter to his son's teacher providing guidance on how to teach his son. He advised teaching the son that not all people are just or honest, but also to teach about heroes and dedicated leaders. Lincoln wanted his son to be taught wonder of books, have faith in his own ideas, and stand up for what he thinks is right. He wanted his son to have courage, patience, and faith in himself and mankind.

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Abraham Lincoln was the sixteenth president of
the United States and he wrote a letter to his son’s
teacher.
Although this letter was written over hundred years
ago, this letter is not imprisoned by the past. It
reads as if it was written just yesterday.

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Respected Teacher,
He will have to learn, I know,
that all men are not just,
all men are not true.

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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.

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

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Let him learn early that
the bullies are the easiest to lick…
Teach him, if you can,
the wonder of books…

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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.

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In the school teach him
it is far honorable to fail
than to cheat…

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

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Teach him to be gentle
with gentle people,
and tough with the tough.

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

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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.

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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…

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Teach him to sell his
brawn
and brain to the
highest bidders
but never to put a
price-tag
on his heart and soul.

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

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Treat him gently,
but do not
cuddle him,
because
only the test
of fire makes
fine steel.

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Let him have the courage
to be impatient…
let him have the patience to be brave.

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Teach him
always
to have sublime
faith in himself,
because then he
will have
sublime faith in
mankind.

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This is a big
order,
but see what
you can do…
He is such a
fine little fellow,
my son!
~ Abraham
Lincoln