By Sami Ullah Malik, Ph.D*
This letter was written in 1830. The letter was written by Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States of America. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest presidents of the United States for his remarkable leadership during one of the most challenging periods in the nation’s history—the Civil War (1861–1865). Abraham Lincoln’s presidency exemplifies transformative leadership, unwavering moral integrity, and resilience under pressure. His ability to navigate the nation through its greatest crisis, while laying the foundation for a more just and unified society, cements his legacy as one of the greatest leaders in American and global history.
The letter is attributed to the undaunting personality of Abraham Lincoln that reflects his principles and leadership philosophy. It is cherished worldwide for its wisdom and practical guidance on education and personal growth. The letter serves as a reminder of the role of teachers and parents in shaping the next generation to be not just successful, but also compassionate and morally strong. However, almost 200 years later, its content still holds the same validity and utility as it did then. Nothing in what it says sounds old or too distant. Because the lessons it refers to are basic and unchanging pillars. When these lines were written, Abraham Lincoln was not yet the President of the United States, nor had he entered the United States House of Representatives (he would do so in 1846).
“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, teachers, it is far more honourable to fail than to cheat. Teach him to learn how to gracefully lose and enjoy winning when he does win.
Teach him to be gentle with people, tough with tough people. Steer him away from envy if you can and teach him the secret of quiet laughter. Teach him if you can – how to laugh when he is sad, teach him there is no shame in tears. Teach him there can be glory in failure and despair in success. Teach him to scoff at cynics.
Teach him if you can the wonders of books but also give time to ponder the extreme mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the sun and flowers on a green hill. Teach him to have faith in his own ideas, even if everyone tells him they are wrong.
Try to give my son the strength not to follow the crowd when everyone else is doing it. Teach him to listen to everyone but teach him also to filter all that he hears on a screen of truth and take only the good that comes through.
Teach him to sell his talents and brains to the highest bidder 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 to have sublime faith in himself, because then he will always have sublime faith in mankind, in God.
This is the order, teacher but see what best you can do. He is such a nice little boy, and he is my son”.
Life learning lesson from this precious letter
· The letter emphasizes that education should not only be about academic excellence but also about developing a child’s character. It stresses the importance of teaching children’s values like honesty, kindness, and resilience.
· Lincoln’s letter highlights the importance of teaching children to value integrity over superficial success. For instance, lines like “Teach him that a dollar earned is of far more value than five found” underscore the importance of hard work and honesty.
· The letter encourages children to be strong in the face of adversity and not to be disheartened by failure. This aligns with Lincoln’s own life experiences, as he faced numerous setbacks before becoming president.
· It advises teaching empathy and understanding, stating that a child should learn to “have sublime faith in mankind.” This reflects Lincoln’s belief in the potential for goodness in humanity.
· The letter urges the teacher to prepare the child for the harsh realities of life while teaching him to remain hopeful and optimistic. This balance reflects Lincoln’s leadership philosophy during challenging times like the Civil War.
· The lessons conveyed in the letter are timeless and universally applicable. They resonate with parents, educators, and leaders as guidance for nurturing well-rounded and morally grounded individuals.
Lastly, I wish that every father should give this advice to his son or daughter. Life is not what we expect, and life has both hard and easy lessons, which we learn every day. Every day is a challenge, and we learn from our mistakes. The wisdom in Lincoln’s letter transcends time and context, making it a powerful tool for personal development. Its principles encourage individuals to lead lives marked by integrity, empathy, and purpose—qualities essential for building not only a successful life but also a better society.
*The writer is a Disaster Management Expert and recently completed his PhD from Islamic International University, Islamabad – Pakistan.
