Abraham Lincoln's Letter: Letter from a parent to a teacher

Famous American PresidentAbraham Lincoln once wrote a letter as a parent, to his son's teacher advising him what to teach to his son. I read this letter and got so impressed with the content of letter that I have to realize the greatness of a person who came from a simple family and one day became the president of America. However, if you read the content of letter you have to do a rethinking that if you are a father or mother, what you will write to the teacher of your son or daughter considering prevailing social and political conditions. Given below is my thinking and I'll be happy if you write a letter to the teacher of your child as written by Abraham Lincoln. That is totally your choice. I'll quote Lincoln's lines here as "Lincoln wrote" than relate its relevance in today's context as "I will write". I would like to mention here although there is some truth behind my expressions but even then it's a hub based on my experiences to reflect some of my feelings of present hostile society.

Lincoln wrote: 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 scroundal there is a hero; that for every selfish politician, there is a dedicated leader.

I'll write:He will have to learn that all men are just, all men are not liar. Also teach him only in movies there is a hero for a scroundal but in reality there are 10 scroundals for one hero. I doubt if there is one dedicated leader for hundred selfish politicians.

Lincoln wrote: Teach him that for every enemy there is a friend.

I'll write: Teach him that for every friend there are lot of enemies.

Lincoln wrote:Teach him that a dollar earned is of far more value than five found.

I'll write: Teach him that a dollar earned is definitely better than five found but no harm to find hundred (earn using new management tricks) .

Lincoln wrote: Teach him to learn to loose and also to enjoy winning.

I'll write: Teach him to learn to win because nobody respects a looser.

He wrote: Teach him the secret of quit laughter. Teach him the wonder for books, but also give him quiet time to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the sun, and flowers on a green hillside.

Lincoln write: Teach him to be a bookworm and to keep away from other extra-curricular activities.

Lincoln wrote: In school, teach him it is far more honorable to fail than to cheat.

I'll write: In school, teach him it is far more honorable to pass even if with cheating.

Lincoln wrote: Teach him to have faith in his own ideas, even if everyone is getting on the band wagon.

I'll write: Teach him to copy others ideas because it's much easier to become popular with cheated ides, concepts etc

Lincoln wrote: 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 come through.

I'll write: Teach him to listen to only selected people who are influential, rich and respected in the society.

Lincoln wrote: Teach him how to laugh when he is sad. Teach him there is no shame in tears.

He wrote: Teach him how to laugh if you have committed a sin or wrong otherwise people will know that you are a culprit.

Lincoln wrote; Teach him to close his ears to a hawling mob; and to stand and fight it if he thinks he's right.

I'll write: Teach him to hear to people otherwise it will be difficult for him to succeed.

Lincoln wrote:Teach him gently, but do not cuddle him, because only the test of fire makes fine steel.

I'll write: Use all means available with you to teach him learn few tactics that it's not wise nowdays to adhere to one's ideas if these are going to produce more enemies than friends.

Lincoln wrote: Let him have the courage to be impatient, let him have the patience to be brave.

I'll write: Braveness is not of much use in todays context. Its better to be docile and flirting than being brave and honest.

Lincoln wrote: Teach him always to have sublime faith in his creator and faith in himself too, because then he will always have faith in mankind.

I'll write: Teach him to have faith in ministers, members of legislative and parliaments, have faith in castism, regionalism,reliogionism etc. These will be useful for him in real world when he faces the cruel world.

Note: I feel very sad for transforming sentences to make them relevant to current context but this is also hard truth that if a parent writes a letter to a teacher in Lincoln's word he will be making his progeny vulnerable to hostile society.