Here is Abraham Lincoln's (16th President of USA) letter to Headmaster of the school in which his son was studying.
"He will have to learn, 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 that for every enemy there is a friend. 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. Teach him, if you can, the wonder of books.... but also give him quite time to ponder over the eternal mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the sun, and flowers on a green hillside.
"In school, teach him it is far more honourable to fail than to cheat.... Teach him to have faith in his own ideas, even if everybody tells him he is wrong... Teach him to be gentle with people. Try to give my son the strength not to follow the crowd when everyone is getting on the bandwagon. 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 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 the howling mob... and to stand up and fight if he thinks he is right.
"Treat him gently, but do not hug 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 always have sublime faith in mankind.
