Build me a son, O Lord, who will
be strong enough to know when he is weak; and brave enough to face himself when
he is afraid; one who will be pround and unbending in honest defeat and humble
and gentle in victory. Build me a son whose wishes will not take the place of
deeds; a son who will know Thee -- and that to know himself is the foundation
stone of knowledge.
Lead him, I pray, not in the path of ease and comfort, but
under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenge. Here let him learn to
stand up in the storm; here let him learn compassion for those who fail.
Build
me a son whose heart will be clear, whose goal will be high, a son who will
master himself before he seeks to master other men, one who will reach into the
future, yet never forget the past.
And after all these things are his, add, I
pray, enough of a sense of humor, so that he may always be serious, yet never
take himself too seriously. Give him humility, so that he may always remember
the simplicity of true greatness, the open mind of true wisdom, and the
meekness of true strength.
Then I, his father, will dare to whisper, "I
have not lived in vain!"
Douglas MacArthur
