Carta d’Abraham Lincoln al professor del seu fill
Una curiositat
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!
Enséñele a ser bueno y gentil con los buenos y duro con los perversos .Instrúyalo a que no haga las cosas porque simplemente otros lo hacen,que sea amante de los valores.
Que aprenda a oir a todos, pero que a la hora de la verdad, decida por si mismo. Enséñele a sonreir y mantener el humor cuando esté triste y explíquele que a veces los hombres también lloran.
Enséñele a ignorar los gritos de las multitudes que solo reclaman derechos sin pagar el costo de sus obligaciones.
Trátelo bien pero no lo mime ni lo adule,déjelo que se haga fuerte solito. Incúlquele valor y coraje pero también paciencia,constancia y sobriedad.
Transmítale una fe firme y sólida en el Creador. Teniendo fe en Dios también la tendrá en los hombres. Entiendo que le estoy pidiendo mucho pero haga todo auello que pueda.
Abraham Lincoln, 1830