Exploring the Full Text of 'If' by Rudyard Kipling

'If' is a renowned poem penned by Rudyard Kipling in 1895. The poem consists of 11 prose sentences and serves as a fatherly advice to Kipling's son or any young individual facing life's challenges. The poem's message transcends generations, offering timeless guidance that is as relevant today as it was in the late 19th century.

Full Text of the Poem 'If'

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting
Or being lied about, dont deal in lies,

Or being hated, dont give way to hating
And yet dont look too good, nor talk too wise,

If you can dream—and not make dreams your master

If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim,

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same,

If you can bear to hear the truth youve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build em up with worn-out tools,

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss,

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,

And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,"

Or walk with kings, ?nor lose the common touch,

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much,

If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds worth of distance run,

Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,

And—which is more—youll be a Man, my son!"

Interpreting the Poem

'If' is more than just a set of guidelines; it is a reflection of Kipling's own character and his experiences. While Kipling is often labeled as a colonial poet due to his birth in India and his journalistic approach, the poem itself transcends such categorization. It demonstrates resilience and self-reflection, qualities that are universal and timeless.

Background and Inspiration

While 'If' has been appreciated for its wisdom, it is also linked to Kipling's admiration for Leander Starr Jameson, a British Army officer and colonial administrator. However, the poem's deeper essence is rooted in Kipling's paternal love and the desire to instill values in his son. The advice given in the poem is a testament to Kipling's belief in self-discipline and maintaining one's integrity in the face of life's challenges.

Concluding Thoughts