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# [http://www.goodreads.com/| Good Reads] can help you decide your next book!
 
# [http://www.goodreads.com/| Good Reads] can help you decide your next book!
 
#[[The Unknown Teacher - a poem by Henry Van Dyke]]
 
#[[The Unknown Teacher - a poem by Henry Van Dyke]]
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'''Abraham Lincoln's World Famous Letter to his Son's Teacher
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He will have to learn, I know,
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that all men are not just,
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all men are not true.
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But teach him also that
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for every scoundrel there is a hero;
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that for every selfish Politician,
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there is a dedicated leader…
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Teach him for every enemy there is a friend,
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Steer him away from envy,
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if you can,
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teach him the secret of
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quiet laughter.
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Let him learn early that
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the bullies are the easiest to lick…
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Teach him, if you can,
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the wonder of books…
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But also give him quiet time
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to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in
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the sky,
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bees in the sun,
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and the flowers on a green hillside.
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In the school teach him
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it is far honourable to fail
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than to cheat…
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Teach him to have faith
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in his own ideas,
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even if everyone tells him
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they are wrong…
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Teach him to be gentle
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with gentle people,
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and tough with the tough.
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Try to give my son
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the strength not to follow the crowd
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when everyone is getting on the band
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wagon…
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Teach him to listen to all men…
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but teach him also to filter
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all he hears on a screen of truth,
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and take only the good
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that comes through.
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Teach him if you can,
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how to laugh when he is sad…
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Teach him there is no shame in tears,
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Teach him to scoff at cynics
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and to beware of too much sweetness…
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Teach him to sell his brawn
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and brain to the highest bidders
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but never to put a price-tag
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on his heart and soul.
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Teach him to close his ears
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to a howling mob
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and to stand and fight
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if he thinks he’s right.
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Treat him gently,
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but do not cuddle him,
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because only the test
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of fire makes fine steel.
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Let him have the courage
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to be impatient…
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let him have the patience to be brave.
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Teach him always
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to have sublime faith in himself,
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because then he will have
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sublime faith in mankind.
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This is a big order,
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but see what you can do…
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He is such a fine little fellow,
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my son!

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