Disclaimer: I do not own Faramir, Boromir or Denethor. They were all created through the amazing creativity of John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (JRR Tolkien)
When Faramir was little, his father rarely cared for him and rarely acknowledged any success. He knew his father loved him—somewhere—but Denethor was doing a good job of hiding it.
One day, Faramir and Boromir were learning archery. Faramir hit the center, not dead center mind you, but center. He was only seven after all.
"That will never do, Faramir," his father told him shaking his head," you will never be Steward, so don't even consider anything different from what you will be—a Captain of Gondor. And a Captain of Gondor never misses his mark!"
Of course, when Boromir shot, he barely hit the target, yet he was praised.
Do not give in, thought Faramir, You must be strong.
In the fencing yard, Faramir first beat Boromir.
"How dare you strike down your brother? Respect your brother!" Denethor shouted.
Do not give in, thought Faramir, You must be strong.
The next round, Faramir went easy on his brother as to not be scolded again. Boromir held his sword at Faramir's throat until Boromir slowly backed away.
"If he was your enemy, you would be dead now!" Denethor shouted.
Do not give in, thought Faramir, You must be strong.
"Father, that is really fair!" exclaimed Boromir.
"Life is not fair to a second-son," explained Denethor, "I do not know what you see in him Boromir, he is useless!"
Do not give in, thought Faramir, You must be strong.
And years later, riding under the shadow of the Nasgul between Ithilien and Minas Tirith, he thought the same words: Do not give in, thought Faramir, You must be strong.