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Fwd: Abraham Lincoln letter To his son teacher

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 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 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!

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