The Letter
Abraham Lincoln was a man of great wisdom and insight. He was not only a great leader, but also a great father. In fact, he wrote a letter to his son's teacher that is still relevant today.
The Content of the Letter
In the letter, Lincoln wrote:
"My son starts school today. It is all going to be strange and new to him for a while and I wish you would treat him gently. It is an adventure that might take him across continents. All adventures that probably include wars, tragedy and sorrow. To live this life will require faith, love and courage. So dear teacher, will you please take him by his hand and teach him things he will have to know, teaching him – but gently, if you can. Teach him that for every enemy, there is a friend. He will have to know that all men are not just, that all men are not true. But teach him also that for every scoundrel there is a hero, that for every crooked politician, there is a dedicated leader. Teach him if you can that 10 cents earned is of far more value than a dollar found. In school teach him it is far honourable to fail than to cheat. Teach him to have faith in his own ideas, even if every one tell 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 else is doing it. Teach him to listen to every one, but teach him also to filters all that 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. 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."
The Message
The letter is full of timeless advice for anyone, not just for Lincoln's son. It is a message of hope, courage, and love.
The letter teaches us to be kind, gentle, and patient with those around us, especially with those who are new to something. It reminds us that life is full of challenges and obstacles, but we should have faith in ourselves and in mankind.
The letter also emphasizes the importance of honesty, integrity, and hard work. It encourages us to be true to ourselves, to listen to others but to filter what we hear, and to have the courage to stand up for what we believe in.
The Legacy
Abraham Lincoln's letter to his son's teacher is a legacy that has stood the test of time. It is a testament to the kind of man Lincoln was, and it is a reminder of the kind of people we should strive to be.
It is a letter that should be read by everyone, and it should be shared with those we care about. It is a message of hope, love, and courage that can inspire us to be better, to do better, and to live better lives.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Abraham Lincoln's letter to his son's teacher is a timeless message of hope, courage, and love. It is a legacy that has stood the test of time, and it is a reminder of the kind of people we should strive to be. Let us all take this message to heart and live our lives with faith, love, and courage.
