- Abraham Lincoln’s Letter To His Son’s Headmaster He will have to learn, ! know, that all men are Not just and are not true, But teach him you can; the wonder of books, Bessie me to ponder the eternal mystery of bids in the sky, w Bees in the sun and, flowers ona green hillside. Jn school, teach him its far more honourable to fail than to cheat, = Teach him to have faith in his oun Ideas, even if everyone tells him he is wrong. Teach him to be gentle with gentle People, and tough with the tough Try to give my son the strength not (o follow the crowd When everyone is getting on the bandwagon, Teach him to listen to all’ men; but teach hi yn also to filter al he hears on a screen of truth, And take only the good that comes through, Teach him, Ifyou 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 sel his brawn and brain to the highest bidders, Bul never to puta price on his heart and soul wm Teach him to close his ears toa howling mob... And stand and fight if he thinks he is right. Treat him gently, but do not cuddle him, Because only the test Of fire makes fine steel. Let him have the coura 1ge to be impatient, “et him have the patience to be brave, Teach him always to have sublime faith n himself, Because then he will have faith in huanking This is a big order, but See what you can do, Wells such a fine litte feiow, my sont Sea CSch,