Jefferson's letter

In 1787, Thomas Jefferson sent a letter to his nephew, who was looking for advice from his uncle as to what to study. Mr. Jefferson's reply is quite interesting.

• Study Spanish. It's going to be useful.
• Don't study moral philosophy. A farmer could give you as good an answer to a moral question as a professor. Read good books and you'll have a proper sense of right and wrong. "And, above all things, lose no occasion of exercising your dispositions to be grateful, to be generous, to be charitable, to be humane, to be true, just, firm, orderly, courageous, &c"
• On religion: Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear.
• And on travel: "This makes men wiser, but less happy. When men of sober age travel, they gather knowledge, which they may apply usefully for their country; but they are subject ever after to recollections mixed with regret; their affections are weakened by being extended over more objects; & they learn new habits which cannot be gratified when they return home." He is damning of young men traveling and the full text is worth reading.

Link.