Lincoln’s letter to his son’s teacher
I found this master piece in my Dad’s book in which he used to write great pieces of poem/literature/ispirational stories since 1956. This is one of the best.
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 honourable 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 little fellow,
my son!
Soliloquies 
Muhammad raza said,
October 5, 2007 at 1:11 pm
I have read this master piece and really appreciate the Abraham Lincoln’s Guiding Principles for His Son. They are really marvelous…….Hope we can understand and follow
Maya said,
November 2, 2007 at 5:41 am
With a 2-year-old son and my extended family consisting of students ranging from 4th till 12th grade, I have been looking for poems/quotes/writings etc that are inspiring and give insights to me as a parent and a teacher. And I must say I love this piece, it absolutely deserves a frame and a wall, which will catch your eye every morning:)
Here is one of my favorite poems on children –
Happy reflecting,
Maya:)
Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you, yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts.
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit,
not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you
with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer’s hand be for gladness;
For even as he loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that
is stable.
— Khalil Gibran
mahum said,
October 4, 2010 at 2:45 pm
well said
Haris Ali said,
September 6, 2011 at 11:08 am
Wow, beautiful !
Especially:
You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you
with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer’s hand be for gladness;
For even as he loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that
is stable.
بهمن صادقی said,
January 23, 2008 at 12:15 pm
it was great
Teri Luka said,
March 7, 2008 at 4:15 pm
this i call an epistle of a great writer whose words always refreshes my thoughts and make me see dynamics of man’s essence to living.
prashant pandya said,
April 19, 2008 at 5:10 pm
dis is a gud poem or master peice as said i d poem i liked it a lot thenk u massi for givin me dis adress of d site
prashant pandya said,
April 19, 2008 at 5:11 pm
🙂
rajesh said,
May 27, 2008 at 11:55 am
inspiring
KING said,
June 8, 2008 at 12:00 pm
this is great
Eunice Oluebube Ibeh said,
June 23, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Really this is a very good writeup which is worthy of admiration,it teaches a lot & inspires to young people like us.
Adeel Younus said,
August 9, 2008 at 7:13 am
It is the Best Thing ever produced by a father to his son and Best Ever Demand to be made for the betterment of a son to his teacher. Yes it is a master piece.
Tasleem Raza Bhatti said,
August 9, 2008 at 7:15 am
I Like This Letter and Understand What a Great Person He Was Who Produced This Great Thinking. Wishes Him Good Luck.
bhaskar said,
August 9, 2008 at 9:14 am
IT IS ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVOURITE SINCE I WAS IN MY CHILDHOOD .I WOULD BE GRATEFUL IF SUCH OTHER THINGS ARE SHARED AND SENT AT MY MAIL.
l.fernandes said,
September 22, 2008 at 6:34 am
I am a teacher/lecturer / and a mother of two grown up girls, when I read this poem to my students I get goose pimples, very touching, very emotional, very inspiring. I had once told a teacher who had brought a complaint to me about my daughter leaving the class (the teacher was my colleague and a good friend) without her permission for some drama practice in school. I told the teacher “I have given my daughter to the teachers for 6 hours” treat her like you treat all the students, punish her for the wrong things she does and praise for the good. Till my daughter graduate I never received any complaints and on her graduation the teacher thanked me for what I had told her. and said I wish all parents could be like you.
I wish all parents read this poem. I have displayed it on our notice board in the colege
shehnaya said,
October 12, 2008 at 2:17 am
I loved it alot.
tony said,
November 6, 2008 at 6:13 am
i think the whole poem is a reflection of the life that i have chosen to lead. Every thing WORD for WORD reflect my true existence. Many thank to a great man. Now my children will learn from a great example of their father through this amazing teaching.
Jude C Okwuibe said,
November 22, 2008 at 9:11 pm
It is a great inspiration to me…..
farhang said,
December 13, 2008 at 9:37 am
i saw the letter first framed on the wall, but by first reading i got such a deep inspiration. Later on, i found it in internet and translated it for my friends.
by the way, it seems that a part of the text has been missed in
your version as follows :
‘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 lose,
and also to enjoy winning.’
kaleem said,
December 23, 2008 at 4:44 am
i found in this poem a self motivated person speaks to follow the wordings of the real world with is teacher. A teacher is the one who gives the real guidelines to follow the life along with the parents. Thanks for everything, kaleem
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.
Seth said,
January 5, 2009 at 3:27 pm
http://www.wanderings.net/notebook/Main/AbrahamLincolnLetterSonsTeacher
sambhaji said,
January 7, 2009 at 2:04 pm
If ,the teacher from the pome ,succeied in his teaching according to the lincon ,s point of viwe……..
then ,i can surely say …….
“no evil can be found in the whole world”
Derick N Fossem said,
January 16, 2009 at 1:03 pm
This is the most exerlerating piece i ever saw.I think that is a summary of what a father or a mother’s wish should be.Please do not hesitate sending me such soul searching pieces.
manju said,
February 25, 2009 at 1:34 pm
iam very much impressed by seeing this letter……..
Uche Okoronkwo Uche said,
May 21, 2009 at 9:46 am
This is indeed the best wish, admonition, desire and prayerthat a loving human and indeed, a true parent could offer to a child. Abrahim Lincoln’s is a superlative masterpiece of all times. It motivates, counsels and satisfies the soul of its reader as sermon from the Holy Bible. May he rest in peace. Amen!
Uche Okoronkwo Uche said,
May 21, 2009 at 9:47 am
This is indeed the best wish, admonition, desire and prayer that a loving human and indeed, a true parent could offer to a child. Abrahim Lincoln’s is a superlative masterpiece of all times. It motivates, counsels and satisfies the soul of its reader as sermon from the Holy Bible. May he rest in peace. Amen!
kuldeep said,
July 3, 2009 at 6:40 am
It is a great inspiration to me…..
AUSTIN BEN ODU said,
August 12, 2009 at 1:13 pm
Yeap, teach him to sell his brawl and brain to the highest bidders but NEVER TO PUT A PRICE TAG ON HIS HEART AND SOUL’.If u read this advisory and admonishonal article line by line,word by word and be able to digest it and most imperatively apply it in ur day to day endeavours,i bet u, the sky, wil be ur limit.infact there is what i call WIT and WISDOM in this piece.Lincoln is a legend God be with him
AUSTIN BEN ODU said,
August 12, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Yeap, teach him to sell his brawl and brain to the highest bidders but NEVER TO PUT A PRICE TAG ON HIS HEART AND SOUL’.If u read this advisory and admonisional article line by line,word by word and be able to digest it and most imperatively apply it in ur day to day endeavours,i bet u, the sky, wil be ur limit.infact there is what i call WIT and WISDOM in this piece.Lincoln is a legend God be with him
karu simon said,
August 23, 2009 at 7:20 pm
no wonder he still remain fresh in the politics of America. a century plus after his demise. what a leader and philosopher. i admire him a lot.
i hope to be remembered like in my country.
Nso said,
August 31, 2009 at 11:51 am
Oh! How much I love this letter. It lays down all the steps needed to produce great men of the would .I have no doubt that great men with high IQ’s like the American President Barack Obama have dwelled so long on this words to be what they are today .
Nso said,
August 31, 2009 at 11:54 am
Oh! How much I love this letter. It lays down all the steps needed to produce great men of the would .I have no doubt that great men with high IQ’s like the American President Barack Obama and his likes have dwelled so long on this words to be what they are today .
Gyanendra mocktan said,
September 9, 2009 at 6:20 am
This is simply the master piece and immortal piece. I introduce my English class with this letter to the adult students in Nepal. They feel so inspired and their emotion is undercontroled and balanced. I make them read and read and try to change their sound and get into the real feeling.
Thank you,
gyanendra Mocktan
DR.AFTAB AHMED JEHANGIR said,
November 6, 2009 at 6:31 am
It is a bogus letter and attributed to Abraham Lincon. As and confirm from the sourse of the letter where it is placed.
Ajakaiye Peter said,
November 9, 2009 at 4:16 pm
Great men always leave a mark on the soil of time.What a great letter to one’s son teacher.
DR.AFTAB AHMED JEHANGIR said,
November 9, 2009 at 5:12 pm
this is a bugus letter that has been atributed to Abraham Lincon
Njoetene Emmanuel said,
November 20, 2009 at 1:41 pm
inspiring indeed
عنصرية ماياي سايروس :موراي يشير لضلوع أطباء آخرين في وفاة مايكل جاكسون:سرطان الدم said,
November 23, 2009 at 6:21 pm
[…] Lincoln’s letter to his son’s teacher – Soliloquies – Source […]
Adesida adekola said,
December 19, 2009 at 3:34 am
This is no doubt a master pice. But one thing should be noted that about the source of this writing. In my investigation, i discover this pice is anonymus but taged to the great man abraham lincon inorder to gain easy and more popularity. The use of words in this inspirational pice are diffrent from the pharse used in the 1860s and diffrent from the way abraham lincon picks his words. For the this is an act known as academic tefth (playgiarisim in nuature) but no doubt it is a master pice. Which should be taged anonymus.
AFTAB Ahmed JEHANGIR said,
June 3, 2010 at 6:23 pm
yes I agree
Vinod Bali said,
December 30, 2009 at 12:23 pm
It has been a classic piece I wish in today’s fast running world every father has time to pay attention for his kids and search such mentor in life to really see his kids grow up as LIncon wished.
Lawrence Watsson said,
March 27, 2010 at 10:31 pm
This indeed is a master piece. The world really miss a legend.
May parents pray to have such wisdom and love so as to pass to thier children. Lincoln, though you are gone……..your words lives forever.
DR. AFTAB AHMED JEHANGIR said,
March 30, 2010 at 9:20 am
THIS IS A BOGUS LETTER.
kavita said,
June 3, 2010 at 6:54 am
vats’ bogus in it…??????????
DR. AFTAB AHMED JEHANGIR said,
March 30, 2010 at 9:18 am
THIS LETTER IS BOGUS AND ATTRIBUTED TO THE AMERICAN PRESEDENT
khalid said,
March 25, 2011 at 7:05 pm
Instead of appreciating the content, u r forcing in to prove that its bogus. Do u have any proof that its bogus.
Neil Eddinger said,
August 25, 2014 at 3:42 am
Ask a knowledgeable historian. It’s fine to admire the thoughts of the writer and follow the advice but, for the sake of Truth, don’t attribute it to Lincoln because, while he was a superb writer, he did not write this letter.
christian james said,
April 5, 2010 at 4:54 pm
the basic for growth…
donald ordu said,
April 5, 2010 at 4:56 pm
nice thougth…
EJIOFOR FORTUNE said,
April 14, 2010 at 6:45 pm
I think this is one of the best letters i have ever read
Aqsa Mirza said,
May 18, 2010 at 6:16 am
I found this letter when I was a uni student and it always inspired me .After twelve years when im a mother,I searched for this letter and got it again with just one click.
Lucky Me
Kennedy Waithaka kimitio said,
May 26, 2010 at 8:19 am
how i wish i had read this epistle,i guess my life could have been better
Kennedy Waithaka kimiti said,
May 26, 2010 at 8:22 am
how i wish i had read this epistle before,i guess my life could have been better
kavita said,
June 3, 2010 at 6:52 am
simply perfect…………
John Edwin said,
July 3, 2010 at 1:31 pm
I need more insper ing words,if can empower me in education,i will be happy.thanks.
Satya Sharma(Fiji) said,
July 18, 2010 at 1:20 am
If only I had come across this while growing up.
But its never too late.
18th July 2010
srishti said,
August 3, 2010 at 4:43 pm
liked this poem very much..!!
recited in a competition n baged 1st price..!!
yepeee..!!
CK said,
September 5, 2010 at 8:20 pm
Its funny that we worry about the writer. It doesn’t matter who has written it. What matters is the the poem itself. The value of the poem should always be greater than the value of the poet. Only the one who has written that kind of poems (where poem is greater than poet) can be a great poet. I have had read this poem before visiting this blog.
But I should thank you for Kahlil Gibran’s piece. Let our discussions have some value..
Thanx again..
B.K.Pathak said,
September 8, 2010 at 5:26 am
It’s inspiring,refreshing and no doubt-a master-piece. Who wrote it,is not so material.If Pt. Nehru was capable of writing master-piece like “Discovery Of India” besides such inspiring&thought-provoking letters to his great daughter–Indiraji, why a thinker &great visionary like,Lincoln cannot write this classic piece?
CK said,
September 14, 2010 at 4:38 am
Still worried about author. Read the essay Death of Author by Roland Barthes..
🙂
Nihal Wella Arachchi said,
September 24, 2010 at 6:06 pm
I could not understand the full implication of this letter though I read it when I was a student.I am not worried about the authenticity of the writer but the content. If all fathers today want their sons’ teachers to teach their sons like this , how calm , quiet and peaceful this world would be? As a father of two sons I try my best
mahum said,
October 4, 2010 at 2:48 pm
abraham lincon is man full of good advice 🙂
Irene Azubuine said,
October 16, 2010 at 5:12 pm
I was in basic 5 when my teacher introduced mi to three basic write up’s of Abraham Lincon;Letter From Abraham lincon To His Sons Teacher, Education And I Was Born In Penury.we were forced to to memorise it of heart and i do hate it because i thought mi teacher was wicked to ask us to memorise such long write up’s of heart at that tender age.i later realised when i enrolled into high school that he has done more good than harm.it inspired mi and i do memorise it when am depressed and i always get a positive answer to mi problems because it challenges me.i have been thought by different teachers, lecturers but i cant forget Mr Orji that made such impact in my life.i wil always appreciate u for this and promise to do the much i can to practise what is in those write up’s.
Neil Eddinger said,
August 25, 2014 at 3:37 am
This letter is NOT by Lincoln, nor does it sound anything like his writing style. It was written many years later by that great author, Anonymous. Nice sentiments and good advice though.
Prasanth payyanatt said,
November 2, 2010 at 5:09 pm
its really great ..the words coming from the hearts of a parent.
really great.
Prasanth payyanatt said,
November 2, 2010 at 5:09 pm
really great…teh words from the heart of parent
syed asim javed said,
December 11, 2010 at 6:00 am
the master piece, though alleged to be bogus, is realy a sentimental touch to the soul of mankind. it went but impressing me to share it with my fellows. surely, it is a message to all teachers of this age.
Ugochukwu Maduagwu said,
January 27, 2011 at 3:53 am
Lincoln thought me that In the school
it is far honourable to fail
than to cheat… but he never told me that the price of failure can be so much.
surjeet soundararaj said,
March 7, 2011 at 4:28 pm
yes,it is a wonderful way to express how to deal with challenges of life.
the only way is to live the fullest of life and take it head on.
vivian said,
March 22, 2011 at 10:41 pm
i like this write up.
Safina said,
April 5, 2011 at 3:44 pm
I actually hv a question…no doubt da poem is an inspiration for upcoming teachrs lyk me…..hw come is dis lettr a poem? what techinques make it a poem..?i actually hv to answr it so can anyone help.?
dips said,
May 4, 2011 at 12:20 pm
really appreciable thoughts
dips said,
May 4, 2011 at 12:27 pm
a poem doesn’t only mean rhyming words,it is the expression of thoughts having even deeper meaning
sondip mondal said,
June 16, 2011 at 6:45 am
This is The definition of Education. It applies to students of all types of educational institutions. i read this to my students very often.
Glesamae said,
July 5, 2011 at 7:00 am
a very nice letter for a son !!!! I really appreciate it so much!!!
Dr.Surekha Kuyyalil said,
July 13, 2011 at 4:52 am
I am very much inspired and trying to make the best out of it in my teaching profession.
omotola ayo said,
July 29, 2011 at 11:02 am
it is a mind-blowing piece. it is also a drug worth to diagnose for everyone who aspire greatness
yasho said,
August 9, 2011 at 4:15 pm
lovely latter an inspiration
nicholas angel white said,
August 12, 2011 at 7:56 am
is a nice one, i have learnt alot from it. Its realy nice of me having it
Anadi Ndubisi said,
August 15, 2011 at 9:37 am
this piece is a challeng not only to parents but also to youths who has the gut to strive harder. Anyone that abide by this precept is a winner.
Jawaid Iqbal said,
August 25, 2011 at 1:23 pm
These are the golden words full of wisdom.everybody should read and practise them
Jawaid Iqbal said,
August 25, 2011 at 1:27 pm
These are the golden words full of wisdom.everybody should read and practice them
saleena said,
November 8, 2011 at 11:13 am
good but didn’t understand
shukhli said,
February 9, 2012 at 10:56 am
bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeessssssssssssssssssssstttttttttttttttttttttt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Charles Nama said,
April 6, 2012 at 4:18 pm
This piece is the most delightful thing of classical antiquity
JOB ITORO said,
April 12, 2012 at 3:21 pm
WOW! THIS IS A GREAT MASTERPIECE DAT REALLY INSPIRES ME. THIS A MUST READ TO,EVERY PARENT, STUDENTS AND TEACHERS
ogorry king said,
May 26, 2012 at 9:51 pm
if only dis letter can be read by all parents, teachers n pupil i think we’ll have a better world…
Hasmukh Dhanani said,
August 25, 2012 at 12:42 pm
all the sentences are awesome, and also in all sentence each sentence says very big inspiration, a big thing which is not easy to teach and to accept easily.
Jigar shah said,
September 30, 2012 at 3:56 am
Awesome thinking revels in this
Adole Adole 2 said,
October 2, 2012 at 2:43 pm
Adole Adole 2
October 02, 2012 at 3.35pm
Lincoln was simply mindblowing! few letters can read like this. I wish other countries can be blessed with a poet President like he was.
Neil Eddinger said,
August 25, 2014 at 3:33 am
I hate to burst the balloon, everyone, but this letter, wise and heartwarming as it may be, is NOT by Abraham Lincoln. It is nowhere to be found in his known works and appeared many years after his untimely death. I remember it being debunked long before even Al Gore had dreamed of the Internet. Sorry. This doesn’t mean he didn’t love Robert, Eddie, Willie and little Tad very much. And it’s still good advice.
qurban khan said,
March 18, 2013 at 8:47 am
fantastic letter ever seen,life long message
SURESH BRAR, Kalwas , Hisar (Haryana) said,
August 8, 2013 at 8:38 am
A bad teacher complain, A Good Teacher explain….but a best Teacher …inspire….this is a natural inspiring poem…no doubt in a calling a master peace….cut peace..master peace .
Ankita Bisht said,
April 3, 2014 at 4:47 am
very inspiring letter n should b practise daily by us, then only we will have the positve change in the world.
Neil Eddinger said,
August 25, 2014 at 3:32 am
I hate to burst the balloon, everyone, but this letter, wise and heartwarming as it may be, is NOT by Abraham Lincoln. It is nowhere to be found in his known works and appeared many years after his untimely death. I remember it being debunked long before even Al Gore had dreamed of the Internet. Sorry. This doesn’t mean he didn’t love Robert, Eddie, Willie and little Tad very much. And it’s still good advice.
Dibyendu said,
March 1, 2015 at 7:42 am
Hi,
Recently I wanted to find out the date when this letter was written. And am still searching. Some says that this letter was really not written by Abraham Lincoln. The language in the letter is too modern to be 200 years old. Please try to find the truth. Am still hunting