if

by rudyard kipling

Poem summary:

"If—" by Rudyard Kipling is a famous poem that offers advice on how to live a virtuous and resilient life.
The poem is structured as a series of conditional statements, with the central theme being the qualities
needed to achieve personal integrity and success. Here's a summary:

1. Resilience and Composure: The poem begins by suggesting that if you can keep your head when
everyone around you is losing theirs, and if you can trust yourself even when others doubt you,
you'll be able to handle life's challenges.
2. Patience and Determination: Kipling advises maintaining patience and not being overwhelmed
by setbacks or the deceitful nature of others. If you can continue to strive toward your goals
without being discouraged, you'll be on the right path.
3. Self-Control and Modesty: The poem emphasizes the importance of self-control and staying
grounded. If you can control your emotions, avoid letting successes go to your head, and handle
failure gracefully, you will be truly admirable.
4. Courage and Integrity: Kipling speaks to the value of courage, suggesting that if you can face
adversity with bravery and honesty, you will embody true strength.
5. Perseverance and Balance: Finally, the poem concludes with the idea that if you can balance all
these qualities and keep moving forward despite the difficulties, you will be a complete and
successful person.

Overall, Kipling’s poem is a motivational piece that celebrates the virtues of patience, resilience,
self-discipline, and integrity. It’s often regarded as a guide to personal development and character.

Detailed:

Text of the First Paragraph

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, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise;

Detailed Analysis
1. "If you can keep your head when all about you / Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,"
 ○ Keeping Your Head: This phrase metaphorically means to stay calm, rational, and
composed even in the midst of chaos. It implies a steady mindset that is crucial when
facing challenging situations.
○ Others Losing Theirs: This refers to those around you who may be panicking or acting
irrationally. Their loss of composure can create a turbulent environment.
○ Blaming It on You: In stressful or chaotic situations, people often look for someone to
blame. Here, Kipling emphasizes the need to remain unflappable and not be affected by
unjust blame. Maintaining one’s calm in the face of unfair accusations demonstrates
emotional strength and maturity.
2. "If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, / But make allowance for their doubting
too;"
○ Trust Yourself: This highlights the importance of self-confidence and belief in one's own
abilities. It’s about having faith in your decisions and actions despite external skepticism.
○ Doubting Too: The second part of this line introduces the idea of empathy. Even when
faced with doubt from others, it’s important to recognize that their skepticism might come
from their own insecurities or perspectives. This balance of self-confidence and
understanding of others’ doubts fosters resilience and humility.
3. "If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,"
○ Patience: Waiting here symbolizes enduring through times of uncertainty or delay. It
emphasizes the virtue of patience, suggesting that the ability to wait without growing
weary or frustrated is a sign of inner strength and perseverance.
○ Not Tired by Waiting: The phrase suggests that true patience is about remaining
steadfast and hopeful even when the process is lengthy or challenging. It involves
maintaining a positive attitude while you await results or changes.
4. "Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,"
○ Being Lied About: This refers to situations where you are the target of deceit or false
accusations. It’s a test of character and integrity.
○ Don’t Deal in Lies: In such scenarios, it’s important to respond with honesty rather than
resorting to deceit in retaliation. Engaging in dishonesty, even in response to being lied
to, compromises one’s moral principles and integrity.
5. "Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,"
○ Being Hated: This acknowledges that animosity or hostility from others is a potential
challenge.
○ Don’t Give Way to Hating: This line advises maintaining compassion and not
succumbing to feelings of hatred or resentment. Holding onto positive emotions and
attitudes, even when faced with hatred, demonstrates maturity and self-control.
6. "And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise;"
○ Don’t Look Too Good: This suggests avoiding arrogance or self-righteousness. It’s about
not flaunting your virtues or appearing overly superior.
○ Don’t Talk Too Wise: Similarly, this advises against being pretentious or overly
intellectual. It implies the importance of humility and the ability to connect with others
without coming across as condescending.

Summary
The first paragraph of “If—” articulates key virtues necessary for personal growth and success. It
underscores the importance of emotional stability, self-confidence tempered with empathy, patience,
integrity in the face of dishonesty, compassion despite hatred, and humility. Kipling’s message is that
embodying these qualities will help one navigate life’s challenges with grace and resilience, ultimately
leading to a well-rounded and admirable character.
Text of the Second Paragraph
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 you’ve 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;

Detailed Analysis
1. "If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;"
○ Dream: In this context, dreaming refers to having aspirations, ambitions, or ideals. It’s
about envisioning goals or future successes.
○ Not Make Dreams Your Master: Kipling advises against letting these dreams control
you or dictate your actions to the point where they become an obsession. It’s important to
have dreams, but they should not overshadow practical reality or make you lose sight of
what is achievable. Balance is key—dreaming should inspire action, not dominate your
life.
2. "If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;"
○ Think: This involves critical thinking, reflection, and intellectual engagement.
○ Not Make Thoughts Your Aim: Kipling suggests that while thinking is important,
becoming preoccupied with thoughts alone can lead to inaction. The aim should be to use
thoughts as a tool for making informed decisions and taking effective actions, rather than
letting them become a source of paralysis or distraction.
3. "If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster / And treat those two impostors just the
same;"
○ Triumph and Disaster: These represent the extremes of success and failure.
○ Impostors: Kipling refers to both success and failure as impostors because they are
temporary and not reflective of one’s true worth or character. The idea is to remain
even-tempered and not allow either to unduly affect your self-perception or behavior.
This demonstrates emotional stability and resilience.
4. "If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken / Twisted by knaves to make a trap for
fools,"
○ Truth Twisted by Knaves: This refers to situations where your honest words or
intentions are manipulated by deceitful people to mislead or trap others.
○ Trap for Fools: These knaves use the twisted truth to deceive or mislead others, creating
situations where the truth is obscured or misrepresented.
○ Bear to Hear: Kipling emphasizes the need for resilience in the face of such
manipulation. It requires a strong character to tolerate having your words misused while
maintaining your integrity and not being disheartened.
5. "Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, / And stoop and build ’em up with
worn-out tools;"
○ Things You Gave Your Life To: This refers to projects, goals, or relationships that you
have invested significant time and effort into.
○ Broken: Sometimes, despite your best efforts, these endeavors may fail or fall apart.
○ Stoop and Build ’Em Up: Kipling advises that when faced with such setbacks, you
should be willing to rebuild or repair what was lost, even if it means starting over with
 less than ideal resources (worn-out tools). This reflects persistence, dedication, and a
willingness to start anew despite previous failures.

Summary
The second paragraph of “If—” delves into managing aspirations, thoughts, and reactions to success and
failure. Kipling stresses the importance of:

● Balancing Dreams: Keeping dreams from becoming overwhelming or controlling.

● Purposeful Thinking: Using thoughts constructively rather than being immobilized by them.
● Equanimity: Treating both success and failure with equal detachment and maintaining emotional
balance.
● Resilience to Manipulation: Enduring the misuse of your words or intentions with grace.
● Persistence: Rebuilding efforts and projects even when they have failed, using whatever means
are available.

Overall, Kipling’s message in this paragraph is about maintaining balance, perspective, and perseverance
in the face of life’s trials and tribulations.

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—you’ll be a Man, my son!

1. "If you can fill the unforgiving minute / With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,"
○ Fill the Unforgiving Minute: Time is described as unforgiving because it does not wait
for anyone and keeps moving regardless of circumstances.
○ Sixty Seconds’ Worth of Distance Run: This suggests making the most of every moment,
using each minute productively and fully. It emphasizes living life with purpose and
making the most of every opportunity.
2. "Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it, / And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!"
○ Yours is the Earth and Everything That’s in It: Achieving the qualities and resilience
described means you will have everything that life can offer—success, fulfillment, and
contentment.
○ You’ll Be a Man, My Son: This signifies reaching full maturity and the pinnacle of
personal development. It’s an acknowledgment of achieving true manhood, characterized
by the virtues and strength outlined in the poem.

Summary
The final paragraph of “If—” encapsulates the essence of personal growth and achievement. It focuses on:

● Balance and Humility: Maintaining virtue in all social interactions and remaining humble
regardless of status.
 ● Emotional Resilience: Not being swayed or hurt by others’ opinions.
● Maximizing Time: Making full use of every moment.

Ultimately, Kipling’s message is that embodying these qualities will lead to complete success and
fulfillment in life, culminating in the achievement of true manhood.