#POETRY: POETIC LETTER FROM ABRAHAM LINCOLN TO HIS SON’S TEACHER

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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
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 to enjoy winning
Steer him away from envy if you can
Teach him the secret of quite 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 quite 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 bad 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 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

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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