Abraham Lincoln's Letter

Learn to lose and enjoy winning

Lincoln wants his son to have a balanced approach to success and failure. 'Teach him to learn to lose' means the child should accept defeat gracefully, learn from failures, and not be discouraged by setbacks. 'And also to enjoy winning' means he should appreciate success when it comes but not become arrogant or overconfident. This teaches sportsmanship, resilience, and humility - important qualities for a well-rounded character.

They are the easiest to defeat

Lincoln tells the teacher to let his son 'learn early that the bullies are the easiest to lick.' Here 'lick' means to defeat easily. This teaches that bullies, despite appearing strong and intimidating, are often cowards at heart. When someone stands up to them with courage and confidence, they usually back down. This gives the child confidence to face bullies rather than fear them, understanding that their apparent strength is often just a facade covering their own insecurities.

The wonder of books

Lincoln specifically mentions 'Teach him, if you can, the wonder of books.' This shows he wants his son to discover the magic and joy that books can bring. Books open up new worlds, provide knowledge, stimulate imagination, and offer endless learning opportunities. By using the word 'wonder,' Lincoln emphasizes that reading should be seen as something amazing and delightful, not just a duty or chore.

Birds, bees, and flowers

Lincoln specifically mentions 'birds in the sky, bees in the sun, and the flowers on a green hillside' as things his son should ponder. These natural elements represent the beauty and mystery of nature that should inspire wonder and contemplation. Lincoln wants his son to appreciate the simple yet profound mysteries of the natural world, developing a sense of curiosity and connection with nature beyond just academic learning.