"Teach her above all things to be good, because without that we can neither be valued by others nor set any value on ourselves. Teach her to be always true; no vice is so mean as the want of truth, and at the same time so useless. Teach her never to be angry; anger only serves to torment ourselves, to divert others, and alienate their esteem.
And teach her industry and application to useful pursuits. I will venture to assure you that if you inculcate this in her mind, you will make her a happy being in herself, a most inestimable friend to you, and precious to all the world.
In teaching her these dispositions of mind, you will be more fixed in them yourself and render yourself dear to all your acquaintances. Practice them, then, my dear, without ceasing. If ever you find yourself in difficulty and doubt how to extricate yourself, do what is right, and you will find it the easiest way of getting out of the difficulty.
Do it for the additional incitement of increasing the happiness of him who loves you infinitely, and who is, my dear Patsy, yours affectionately."
- Thomas Jefferson, in a letter to his daughter Martha (nicknamed Patsy) in reference to his only other living daughter, Mary (called Polly) who was six years her junior. TJ had traveled to Paris in approx. 1984 to serve as successor to Dr. Benjamin Franklin as ambassador. He originally traveled with his oldest daughter only, and left the younger with his dearly departed wife's sister and husband. After a short time, he sent for his younger daughter because he missed her so much.
