Lincoln's Letter to his son's teacher

Teach him to close his ears to a howling mob
and to 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 courage to be impatient...
let him have the patient 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 fellow, my son!

-Excerpt from Abraham Lincoln's letter to his son's teacher
(Courtesy: School Magazine, The New Indian Express, August 22, 2007)